Dark Horse’s merchandise wing have put together two welcome, if unexpected pieces of Mass Effect and Dragon Age merchandise: decks of playing cards.
The decks feature character art from both series, and at the moment are going for the decidedly affordable price of $US4. What I need to know before buying, though, is whether the Mass Effect cards actually use Joker for the Joker cards.
The Dragon Age cards aren’t pictured, but both will be available in mid-November.
Great Site to Earn From Home
Monday, October 24, 2011
There Are Battlefield 3 Screenshots, And There Are Battlefield 3 "Screenshots"
Here’s a batch of new images from EA’s upcoming shooter Battlefield 3. Half of them are useful, beautiful shots of the game’s multiplayer maps.
The other half? Well, it’s nice they look like the cover art and all, but yeah. Not as useful.
As hard as it is to believe, Battlefield 3 will be out in North America on October 25. That’s next week. Australia gets it on the 27th and Europe gets it on the 28th.
The other half? Well, it’s nice they look like the cover art and all, but yeah. Not as useful.
As hard as it is to believe, Battlefield 3 will be out in North America on October 25. That’s next week. Australia gets it on the 27th and Europe gets it on the 28th.
Super Mario Vs Metal Gear Vs Tron
Sure, there’s been some great cosplay to be seen over the weekend at the New York Comic-Con, but New York isn’t Planet Earth. There’s been plenty of great cosplay happening everywhere else over the past seven days too!
Some of which you’re about to see, in a lineup that includes cosplay of No More Heroes, Nier and, in a case of “why the hell don’t people do this more often”, Uncharted.
I mean, it’s not hard to get an Uncharted costume. Pants, boots, a gun and a half-tucked shirt. BAM. You’re Nathan Drake. Not everything has to be Final Fantasy, cosplayers!
To see the larger pics in all their glory (or so you can save them as wallpaper), right-click on the “expand” icon on the main image above and select “open in new tab”.
Fancy Pants is a look at the world of cosplay (costume play), where people dress up as their favourite video game characters. Sometimes it works! Sometimes it…yeah.
Some of which you’re about to see, in a lineup that includes cosplay of No More Heroes, Nier and, in a case of “why the hell don’t people do this more often”, Uncharted.
I mean, it’s not hard to get an Uncharted costume. Pants, boots, a gun and a half-tucked shirt. BAM. You’re Nathan Drake. Not everything has to be Final Fantasy, cosplayers!
To see the larger pics in all their glory (or so you can save them as wallpaper), right-click on the “expand” icon on the main image above and select “open in new tab”.
Fancy Pants is a look at the world of cosplay (costume play), where people dress up as their favourite video game characters. Sometimes it works! Sometimes it…yeah.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
In This Cool (and Gross) New IOS Game, Your Face Is The Battleground
The last augmented reality game I played was Face Raiders on the 3DS, a game which turned the face of those playing the game into flying enemies which players could then shoot out of the sky. The new iOS AR game SkinVaders turns that idea on its head (geddit?) by using facial recognition software and the iPad or iPhone’s front-facing camera to place digital beasties all over the players’ face.
It’s very cool. It’s also very gross. If anything, the little SkinVaders crawling around on my face remind me of that ghastly Lamisil ad with the digger that goes under your toenails. (Okay, I’m linking to it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.) But as much as the game is about squishing alien bugs that lay eggs all over your face, it showcases a technology that’s neat.
The game was created by Total Immersion, a studio that has been working on augmented reality (or, AR) games for some time. To make the game, they used their new D’Fusion Studio, which is a free to download AR software designed for the cross-platform development of augmented reality games, from iOS to Android to the Kinect.
In a press release from Total Immersion:
D’Fusion Studio offers the most advanced feature set on the market-free of charge:
• Multiplatform: Developers can create games and applications for a variety of platforms including iOS and Android™, Web, Microsoft® Kinect™ and kiosk.
• Sophisticated: Superior markerless tracking-including face-tracking-quickly recognises images as targets as they move through the scene and even rotate.
• Efficient: D’Fusion Studio draws from a single authoring environment and a single set of assets (images, 3D models, scripts) to maximise efficiency.
• Comprehensive: D’Fusion Studio boasts the unique ability to recognise an image from a target data store of up to 1,000 images (competitive solutions do not exceed a target data store of 30) — while maintaining the same recognition time, requiring only a slight increase in resource utilization (CPU, RAM).
• Immersive: D’Fusion Studio’s AR technology successfully blurs the lines between the real world and the rich digital universe of 3D allowing end users to deeply engage in the real-time experience without distraction caused by the technology.
“D’Fusion Studio uses superior AR technology to get as close as possible to erasing the line between reality and the digital world,” said Total Immersion CEO Bruno Uzzan. “Now, by making D’Fusion Studio free to all developers we’ve removed yet another barrier-developers are limited only by their imagination.”
The tech qorks surprisingly well in SkinVaders. It avoids looking like the aliens are simply moving across a 2D picture of you–they actually move along the contours of your face, pulling up cheek-skin and hanging off of your chin. Of course, again, I must stress that the entire thing is a bit troubling on an “ew” level. But cool, technologically.
Plus, SkinVaders gives us press-release gold like the following: “SkinVaders is the first game to use Augmented Reality to physically bring you-specifically your face– into a game.”
It’s very cool. It’s also very gross. If anything, the little SkinVaders crawling around on my face remind me of that ghastly Lamisil ad with the digger that goes under your toenails. (Okay, I’m linking to it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.) But as much as the game is about squishing alien bugs that lay eggs all over your face, it showcases a technology that’s neat.
The game was created by Total Immersion, a studio that has been working on augmented reality (or, AR) games for some time. To make the game, they used their new D’Fusion Studio, which is a free to download AR software designed for the cross-platform development of augmented reality games, from iOS to Android to the Kinect.
In a press release from Total Immersion:
D’Fusion Studio offers the most advanced feature set on the market-free of charge:
• Multiplatform: Developers can create games and applications for a variety of platforms including iOS and Android™, Web, Microsoft® Kinect™ and kiosk.
• Sophisticated: Superior markerless tracking-including face-tracking-quickly recognises images as targets as they move through the scene and even rotate.
• Efficient: D’Fusion Studio draws from a single authoring environment and a single set of assets (images, 3D models, scripts) to maximise efficiency.
• Comprehensive: D’Fusion Studio boasts the unique ability to recognise an image from a target data store of up to 1,000 images (competitive solutions do not exceed a target data store of 30) — while maintaining the same recognition time, requiring only a slight increase in resource utilization (CPU, RAM).
• Immersive: D’Fusion Studio’s AR technology successfully blurs the lines between the real world and the rich digital universe of 3D allowing end users to deeply engage in the real-time experience without distraction caused by the technology.
“D’Fusion Studio uses superior AR technology to get as close as possible to erasing the line between reality and the digital world,” said Total Immersion CEO Bruno Uzzan. “Now, by making D’Fusion Studio free to all developers we’ve removed yet another barrier-developers are limited only by their imagination.”
The tech qorks surprisingly well in SkinVaders. It avoids looking like the aliens are simply moving across a 2D picture of you–they actually move along the contours of your face, pulling up cheek-skin and hanging off of your chin. Of course, again, I must stress that the entire thing is a bit troubling on an “ew” level. But cool, technologically.
Plus, SkinVaders gives us press-release gold like the following: “SkinVaders is the first game to use Augmented Reality to physically bring you-specifically your face– into a game.”
I Am The Worst Batman
I’m standing on a platform, looking down into a crowd of thugs cheering on Two-Face to execute Catwoman. My objective is to clear the room to save the feline damsel who hardly seems distressed. There’s one thug in the room who is armed, and I would have to take him out before attempting anything else. A box pops up on the screen advising me to do so. “OK!” I think to myself, as I dive face-first into the crowd… without taking out the armed man.
What ensues is a frantic struggle to fight off thugs while bullets come pelting my way. I use the grappling hook to raise myself back onto the platform, spot the gunman, knock him over but fail to take him out, he picks up his gun and resumes shooting at me. I drop back onto the ground and flail around, use the grappling hook to fly back up, drop back down, find the gunman, take him out, then find myself back on the ground. Apparently, I’m Batman, but Batman would never have done any of those things.
I am a Batman fan, but my love for him and his universe makes me the worst Batman.
My love affair with The Dark Knight began upon the discovery of the graphic novel version of Batman Returns. As a child I read it every day, cross-referencing panels with the film itself and assessing the accuracy of facial expressions. This proceeded to the almost-daily viewings of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin on VHS, supplemented by whatever comics I could get my hands on. The animated series came next as I sat in front of the television, wide-eyed and completely mesmerised by the creation of Harley Quinn and the rebooted re-telling of how Two-Face became disfigured. I later discovered the darker, grittier and haunting graphic novels of Alan Moore and Grant Morrison.
What ensues is a frantic struggle to fight off thugs while bullets come pelting my way. I use the grappling hook to raise myself back onto the platform, spot the gunman, knock him over but fail to take him out, he picks up his gun and resumes shooting at me. I drop back onto the ground and flail around, use the grappling hook to fly back up, drop back down, find the gunman, take him out, then find myself back on the ground. Apparently, I’m Batman, but Batman would never have done any of those things.
I am a Batman fan, but my love for him and his universe makes me the worst Batman.
My love affair with The Dark Knight began upon the discovery of the graphic novel version of Batman Returns. As a child I read it every day, cross-referencing panels with the film itself and assessing the accuracy of facial expressions. This proceeded to the almost-daily viewings of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin on VHS, supplemented by whatever comics I could get my hands on. The animated series came next as I sat in front of the television, wide-eyed and completely mesmerised by the creation of Harley Quinn and the rebooted re-telling of how Two-Face became disfigured. I later discovered the darker, grittier and haunting graphic novels of Alan Moore and Grant Morrison.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Reviews Might and Magic: Heroes VI Review
Raising huge armies of gnarled fantasy creatures, thundering across the loot-laden countryside, and thrashing the kingdoms of rival heroes in epic turn-based battles is still every bit as awesome as it was when I first dove into Heroes of Might and Magic as a kid. Don't let the name switcheroo fool you: Might & Magic Heroes VI primarily sticks to the franchise's roots. It's laden with all of the excellent nitty-gritty details that strategic fantasy warfare nerds like me salivate over, but it also incorporates some updates to the formula that may not sit well with the hardcore set. As great as the underlying gameplay is, a few heinous design missteps nearly kill the experience outright, especially Ubisoft's hideous Uplay requirements.
News BioWare Announces Mass Effect 3 Demo
BioWare is plugging a co-op multiplayer mode into Mass Effect 3, and gamers will get the chance to try it out for themselves in the ME3 demo. BioWare announced today the Mass Effect 3 demo will kick off in January, and your ticket in is Battlefield 3.
Posting on the official BioWare forums, the studio broke the news, revealing that a portion of the single-player campaign will also be playable.
Posting on the official BioWare forums, the studio broke the news, revealing that a portion of the single-player campaign will also be playable.
News Rumor: Bethesda, Zenimax Media Pull the Plug on id Software's Doom 4
Rage, id Software's long-awaited first new franchise since Quake launched in 1996, failed to meet critical and commercial expectations, and as a result, Doom 4 may have been placed on the chopping block. According to an unconfirmed report, parent company Zenimax Media and publisher Bethesda have decided to "indefinitely postpone" id's next project, Doom 4.
Citing an anonymous source "close to the publishers," Kotaku reports that the decision to postpone work on Doom 4, which id first announced way back in 2008, was made at a recent company wide meeting in Dallas.
Citing an anonymous source "close to the publishers," Kotaku reports that the decision to postpone work on Doom 4, which id first announced way back in 2008, was made at a recent company wide meeting in Dallas.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Disney XD Games
Disney Friends for Change Games
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
To support the “Disney Friends for Change Games” on Disney Channel and Disney XD, Disneychannelgames.biz has launched an online destination at Disneyxd.biz, where kids and families can take part in the Games from home and help the planet — by making personal pledges of their own, playing online versions of the Games, and making art that matters! When kids play online versions of the Games at Disneyxd.biz, they can donate the points they earn to one of the four charities involved. At the end of the Games, the charity with the most points given by the Disney.com online community will receive $100K.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
In addition to playing online games for charity, kids can view exclusive video content and participate in a number of funonline activities. Kids can create online art on the Friends for Change Group Wall at Disneyxd.biz, where they can see the transformative power of friends everywhere pitching in to make a difference. The Disneyxd.biz site will also feature exclusive videos from the “Disney Friends for Change Games,” including a special wrap-up show hosted by Tiffany Thorntonand Jason Earles. Kids can also download the official 2011 Friends for Change anthem “We Can Change the World” featuring Bridgit Mendler on Disneyxd.biz
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
Over 30 Disney Channel Games and Disney XD Games stars from around the globe will compete in “Disney Friends for Change Games.” Four teams will play on behalf of a global charity — Fauna and Flora International, World Wildlife Fund, Ocean Conservancy and UNICEF. For five weeks beginning Friday, June 24, Disney Channelwill present “Disney Friends for Change Games” in interstitials during its Friday, Saturday and Sunday primetime original series programming, and Disney XD will present a special episode from the games Monday nights beginning June 27 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). The Games will culminate with a special half-hour episode Sunday, July 31 on Disney Channel.
Friends for Change
Courtesy of Disney
About Disney’s Friends for Change
Disney’s Friends for Change is a multi-platform initiative that helps inspire kids and families to join together and make a positive impact on their world (and the people and animals that live there). Through PSAs on-air and online tool-kits, the program aims to provide useful information to help kids make small changes that add up to big differences. As part of the program, Disney donates $1 million dollars annually to fund projects all around the globe and has funded over 41 projects that help the planet ranging from educational & community programs to species & habitat protection. Friends for Change currently has over 4 million actions taking place from kids in 33 countries throughoutthe United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, India and China. For more information, please visit Disneyxd.biz.
- Disney XD gets its game on
Astral-owned Disney XD Canada is delving deeper into the gaming space in a month-long promotion that will see the multi-platform brand take viewers behind the scenes of June’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), offer up two new games on DisneyXD.biz every week and give away five video game consoles to Disney XD viewers.
The Level Up contest runs through the month of September and is set to feature the star of What’s, Up Warthogs!, Eduard Witzke, reporting from this year’s E3 in eight short interstitial reports entitled Ed’s E3. New episodes of Ed’s E3 will premiere every Tuesday and Thursday from September 1 and will air throughout the Disney XD schedule. Additionally, a weekly entry word will appear in each episode, which can be used to enter the Level Up contest online to win one of five game consoles.
On top of entering the Level Up contest on DisneyXD.ca, viewers can explore a dedicated minisite to re-watch episodes of Ed’s E3 as well as test their skills on brand-new Disney XD games. Two new games will be unveiled each week with a bonus game available for those who can work out the special DisneyXD.biz game code.
Disney XD News
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
Angry Birds for PC
Finally, those birds that everybody likes has arrived on PC. After iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobile versions, also iPhone cases and toys, Angry Birds has finally arrived on the PC thanks to the Intel App Up store. It’ll work fine and dandy on laptops and netbooks and will cost you only $4.99 to download. Nice price for this lovely game.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
angry birds for pc
activate free angry birds for pc
angry birds FLASH SCAM
angry-birds-online scam
free angry birds games full version for window xp
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
angry birds for pc
activate free angry birds for pc
angry birds FLASH SCAM
angry-birds-online scam
free angry birds games full version for window xp
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The worst development this gen is...
Ah, the HD gaming generation. It's ushered in many great developments, and standardised some great features for console gaming. From simple, underrated pleasures like wireless controllers that can also be used for switching your console on and off, to bigger developments like making online multiplayer a standard console experience- there's a lot to like about what's happened this gen.
There's also however, one major and worrying development that has become almost the norm now with major game releases- and that's patching. In theory, the ability to patch a game and iron out a bug or two missed during development and testing should be a welcome development. This is, afterall, what patches have traditionally done in the PC gaming world. But what is happening now is plain for all to see- big games are being sold unfinished, and are being 'patched' to completion post their retail release.
Early 'day-one' purchasers more than often are the true beta testers- angrily jumping online to the games' official forums, complaining, pointing out issues that should have been picked up prior to release. It's often now that games are vastly different at launch than they are a few months later. It's so prevalent that I don't even need to give examples for anyone to know what I'm talking about- and why I think it's so detrimental to gaming.
It's getting to the point where the games we buy, with our hard earned money, simply aren't finished products anymore. Games are supposed to be fun, enjoyable experiences where you can escape from your day-to-day realities and enjoy a fantasy world for just a little while. However, instead gaming on these unfinished releases turns into little more than a tester where you wonder why features are missing, performance stutters, and end up doing the developers job for them- find the flaws the prevent the game from being fun. It impugns the integrity of developers and publishers, and mostly it just sours gamers from the hobby they love.
We deserve more as gamers. We loyally purchase games for our favourite consoles hoping for great experiences after being promised the best, only to find on launch day that game we've been looking forward to for so long doesn't work properly and is full of bugs and holes. Enough is enough!
There's also however, one major and worrying development that has become almost the norm now with major game releases- and that's patching. In theory, the ability to patch a game and iron out a bug or two missed during development and testing should be a welcome development. This is, afterall, what patches have traditionally done in the PC gaming world. But what is happening now is plain for all to see- big games are being sold unfinished, and are being 'patched' to completion post their retail release.
Early 'day-one' purchasers more than often are the true beta testers- angrily jumping online to the games' official forums, complaining, pointing out issues that should have been picked up prior to release. It's often now that games are vastly different at launch than they are a few months later. It's so prevalent that I don't even need to give examples for anyone to know what I'm talking about- and why I think it's so detrimental to gaming.
It's getting to the point where the games we buy, with our hard earned money, simply aren't finished products anymore. Games are supposed to be fun, enjoyable experiences where you can escape from your day-to-day realities and enjoy a fantasy world for just a little while. However, instead gaming on these unfinished releases turns into little more than a tester where you wonder why features are missing, performance stutters, and end up doing the developers job for them- find the flaws the prevent the game from being fun. It impugns the integrity of developers and publishers, and mostly it just sours gamers from the hobby they love.
We deserve more as gamers. We loyally purchase games for our favourite consoles hoping for great experiences after being promised the best, only to find on launch day that game we've been looking forward to for so long doesn't work properly and is full of bugs and holes. Enough is enough!
My opinion on crysis 2(360)
Lets get the graphics out of the way first, they are stunning and without doubt the best I have seen on the 360. What I love about the graphics is the realism, everything has been designed with that in mind I feel. Objects as little as a can of pop on the floor look really detailed. The lighting is beautiful and some of the best iv'e seen in a game with an honorable mention going to Alan wake and Killzone 2.
The gameplay is where this game stands out for me, its not just go here do that and then do this. You have options, do you go to the rooftops and snipe or go for a brute force attack on the ground or use the stealth option. The list is almost endless. Its a good mix of shooting, strategy and fun. The vehicle combat is well implemented and doesn't detract from the pacing of the game. Theres a good selection of weapons which are customizable on the move which is great for the strategist's out there because each new encounter with the enemy requires a different approach which of course you choose. When you do finally run into the alien's strategy really comes into play, especially in the later levels when they are tougher and more varied. The shear size of the battle areas gives you plenty of options while still remaining simple for those who want it to be.
The sound is amazing, I really love the echo effect after you fire off rounds with the mounted machine gun's. the music is up there with the best, it fits in with the game perfectly and doesn't overpower the other sound effects. The voice acting is also very good right down to the soldiers with a couple of words to say. The story is not the greatest ever written but it keeps you hooked untill the very end with some suprises and twists to keep you guessing.
The games not perfect though, there are some bugs. I had one where a level loaded and I couldn't access my gun so I had to reload from the checkpoint. Iv'e also seen enemy's run through walls, stand and face the wall, look at me and do nothing and I had one headless alien still walking around and firing at random things. These are minor problems which are few and far between and don't ruin the game.
Overall I think crysis 2 is a stunning peice of work by crytek and everyone no matter which system you own should play this game. I'm now on my second run through on super soldier difficulty and it really hard but i'm looking forward to playing through the campaign again. I'm going to try and find some collectables and try and get the donut achievment. Happy gaming.
The gameplay is where this game stands out for me, its not just go here do that and then do this. You have options, do you go to the rooftops and snipe or go for a brute force attack on the ground or use the stealth option. The list is almost endless. Its a good mix of shooting, strategy and fun. The vehicle combat is well implemented and doesn't detract from the pacing of the game. Theres a good selection of weapons which are customizable on the move which is great for the strategist's out there because each new encounter with the enemy requires a different approach which of course you choose. When you do finally run into the alien's strategy really comes into play, especially in the later levels when they are tougher and more varied. The shear size of the battle areas gives you plenty of options while still remaining simple for those who want it to be.
The sound is amazing, I really love the echo effect after you fire off rounds with the mounted machine gun's. the music is up there with the best, it fits in with the game perfectly and doesn't overpower the other sound effects. The voice acting is also very good right down to the soldiers with a couple of words to say. The story is not the greatest ever written but it keeps you hooked untill the very end with some suprises and twists to keep you guessing.
The games not perfect though, there are some bugs. I had one where a level loaded and I couldn't access my gun so I had to reload from the checkpoint. Iv'e also seen enemy's run through walls, stand and face the wall, look at me and do nothing and I had one headless alien still walking around and firing at random things. These are minor problems which are few and far between and don't ruin the game.
Overall I think crysis 2 is a stunning peice of work by crytek and everyone no matter which system you own should play this game. I'm now on my second run through on super soldier difficulty and it really hard but i'm looking forward to playing through the campaign again. I'm going to try and find some collectables and try and get the donut achievment. Happy gaming.
Whats up with Fanboys these days?
First off, let me tell you my idea of a fanboy. Someone who bashes a console they don't own. I'm going to add that I had my own ps3 and before my ylod fiasco I just use my brothers. I played most of the exclusives and I love both consoles immensely. And I'm going to be on both sides so dont call me a fanboy. Back in the old Sega vs Nintendo days and the n64 vs ps1 people argued back and forth over preference but all there was to offer was the controller and games so it was within reason and it could be laughed off.
I see everywhere idiots trolling and trashing other consoles by giving us a long list of features and exclusives this console has. It's littererly plaguing n4g and YouTube. But why? True gamers are hard to come by and I wish I knew why. With exclusive trailers getting hated on it makes me sick. Hell I see random comments on fml and yahoo answers, related to the xbox only, saying stuff like "this is why you shouldve got a ps3" and vice versa. It's not right this generation has many amazing games but flame wars and competition has burned the glory of this generation into thin air.
I see everywhere idiots trolling and trashing other consoles by giving us a long list of features and exclusives this console has. It's littererly plaguing n4g and YouTube. But why? True gamers are hard to come by and I wish I knew why. With exclusive trailers getting hated on it makes me sick. Hell I see random comments on fml and yahoo answers, related to the xbox only, saying stuff like "this is why you shouldve got a ps3" and vice versa. It's not right this generation has many amazing games but flame wars and competition has burned the glory of this generation into thin air.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Angry Birds for PC
Finally, those birds that everybody likes has arrived on PC. After iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobile versions, also iPhone cases and toys, Angry Birds has finally arrived on the PC thanks to the Intel App Up store. It’ll work fine and dandy on laptops and netbooks and will cost you only $4.99 to download. Nice price for this lovely game.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
* angry birds for pc
* activate free angry birds for pc
* angry birds FLASH SCAM
* angry-birds-online scam
* free angry birds games full version for window xp
*
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
Angry Birds is a global phenomenon in mobile gaming and the top grossing iPhone app of 2010. So if you’re not a smart-phone wielding hipster, you no longer have an excuse not to be part of this franchise.
Overall it’s pretty much an identical game play experience to the iPhone app, with some minor differences. It’s snappy, gorgeous, and it sounds amazing. On the netbook version you use a mouse or trackpad instead of touch. There is an open hand icon when the mouse is in hover state, and a closed hand icon when you are clicking or dragging. This visible clue when pulling the slingshot is a nice aid. It allows you to fine tune shots more than just observing the angle of the slingshot band.
Angry Birds for PC
Larger screen means more visibility in the game. On many levels you can see the target that can’t be seen on the iPhone. The previous shot trail is more easily seen, allowing fine tuning of your next shot. Overall the animations and physics seem to have more fluidity.
In terms of features, options, menu etc it’s pretty close to the original. On the netbook the replay level icon has been added to the game space. So you don’t need to pause first then replay. If you start off with bad shot, just click the replay icon, then you can start over. Saving a click is nice. There is a Menu button in the Pause menu that gets you back to the Start screen. There are some things not in play on the netbook version. The leader board and achievements are not available in the main menu. The Golden Eggs are there.
Angry Birds strikes an interesting balance of repetitive, simple tasks and challenging game play working for the many scenarios. So, if you liked this game on your iPhone or Android phone, you’ll sure like it on your big PC screen. If you are new player, don’t hesitate and join the fun now.
You must know and recognize the game from the Rovio, Angry Birds.
This game consists of seven birds with super abilities are different. By using slingshots, you can control the jump and the height of ill-tempered birds to tear down the building where the collection of green pork fat is shelter.
Where is a funny collection of birds swelled, turned into a grumpy group of birds which destroy the kingdom of lustful pigs these cunning thieves.
Angry Birds now not only for the iPhone, Android OS, PS3 and PSP. even Angry Birds has been available in Ovi Store for Nokia. And now Angry Birds have been available for Windows XP and Windows 7
Free Angry Birds for PC
Plenty of dodgy website owners want to rip off Google and push traffic towards their sites on the bogus promise of the free version of Angry Birds for PC. This is only a scam but in fact there exists a download free Angry Birds for PC nevertheless, you will need to move quickly to take advantage of that offer
Finland games producer Rovio Mobile has produced their very 1st version of Angry Birds Game for the Apple iPhone. This particular game was immediately caught by the iPhonesters, and Rovio understood that they will become successful. That has been fine. However, Rovio needed to get going by recoding Angry Birds Games for several programs, which become easier for small companies to get done.
Several weeks went by and finally, the Nokia and Android users could get themselves the Angry Birds Game. After that, the RovioMobile switched their attentions to the huge users of the PSP or the Play Station Portable and the PS3. That has been an additional huge porting project for Rovio operations.
During that time, the PC users have been reading and hearing rumors regarding Angry Birds for PC. Ultimately, in January, Angry Birds for PC was released, and downloading is not for free. However, not everybody is willing to pay for $5 for just a game, even if they will enjoy playing with it. These days, several users have grown to be familiar of getting some thing for free, so there are many who are on the lookout for a totally free Angry Birds for PC download. It can be downloaded via Windows 7 and Windows XP and Vista, or Mac support. But downloading can only be downloaded if you have an internet connection for the process to activate successfully.
Angry Birds pc is one of the well-known games that have taken the popularity with over 200 million downloads. The availability of this game is taking place in almost all of the popular platforms. In addition to playing the game online in the browser you can now download it on your laptop and take it wherever you may go to enjoy the amazing games, enabling you to play whenever, wherever you go. Take it to your workplace or even in the park, while resting and basting under the sun. Probably launching the Angry Birds for PC the wisest and the best move the game maker ever made. This availability made for the millions of platform owners, even made the popularity of Angry Birds known to more video-gaming enthusiasts more than over.
Incoming search terms:
* angry birds for pc
* activate free angry birds for pc
* angry birds FLASH SCAM
* angry-birds-online scam
* free angry birds games full version for window xp
*
- Angry Birds PC Updated
The PC version was updated last week which we talked about in this post. This update will finally include all episodes of Ham ‘Em High and the two chapters of Mine and Dine. I’m sure this is welcome news for all the PC players who have been feeling left out. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get all the episodes out but that’s in the past now so lets just get to playing. Since all the chapters are available you also have access to all of the golden eggs. You can finally complete your collection!
As a side note because I didn’t want to do an entire post about the subject, have you all seen the Angry Birds bra? It’s available over on etsy you should go check it out. I personally don’t know anyone who would wear it but i’m sure there is someone out there who would. I don’t recommend buying this for you girlfriend or wife unless she really loves angry birds.
BBCW launches CBeebies games app
Games based on popular CBeebies Games series Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies, 3rd & Bird and Numberjacks are available through a new app launched by BBC Worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
Dear Microsoft, thanks for trying to burn my house down.
The following is an actual letter I sent to Microsoft some years back concerning the overall safety of one of their products, and the subsequent result of the situation. Enjoy.
*****
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is to inform you that I have made the decision to purchase a Playstation 3 video game console. More importantly, it should be noted that your company drove me to do so, and let me explain why.
First of all, though it may seem irrelevant at this point, I should probably explain my video gaming history as a whole. I have never been a "casual" gaming enthusiast. For as long as I can remember, I have always had at least one video game console at a time, and this neglects the idea of any handheld systems I ever had in my possession. It began, like many, with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the late 80s. A few years after, I received a Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and my life was forever changed. Around the same time, I received a Sega Genesis and a Sega CD, yet I played my Super Nintendo daily, as I was never impressed with anything that my Sega products provided. My SNES was my favorite toy for so many years, until it became obsolete and the Nintendo 64 was released.
A few years after the Nintendo 64 was released, I had finally saved up enough money from my part-time job and purchased one with my own money. I played the N64 daily, but it never held my heart like my SNES had. Shortly after, the Sony Playstation was released, and yet again I bought myself a new system. It was at this point my bonds with Nintendo were broken, and I discovered a new love.
This new system provided games that were geared more towards my demographic at the time, and I think that had a lot to do with my broken ties with Nintendo as a whole. Not to mention all of my friends had Playstations, so bringing games back and forth to each other's houses was easy to do. We would trade games for a week or so at a time, and would master them all before returning them. It was the end all system. So we thought.
Sony introduced the Playstation 2 a few years later, and the response, as I'm sure you know, was outrageous. Third-party games flooded the market, and a Playstation 2 owner had the world at their fingertips. I probably owned close to 40+ games throughout the time I owned my PS2, and I never regretted playing the next. I was a slave to Sony, and I knew it. And I didn't care.
I'm told you, Microsoft, released a console around this time, too. The XBOX, the "giant black brick with a stupid name," was unnecessary to me or my friends. We had no need for it. We had a PS2. EVERYONE had a PS2. Why do I think you knew that already?
You may be beginning to wonder how your company drove me away. Let me explain..
I held onto my PS2 for many years, until the current generation of consoles was introduced. I watched the battle between you and Sony and Nintendo wage on for years before I finally settled on which next-gen console to buy. Nintendo's Wii was out of the question.. If I had wanted to sit around playing a majority of children's games, I would have picked up one of my niece's educational V-Tech toys. It was down to Microsoft v. Sony, XBOX360 v. PS3.
Ironically, I separated myself from the legacy Sony had created and bought an XBOX360.
I couldn't tell you why I bought it at the time. Maybe it was the store clerk who nudged me in that direction. Maybe it was a couple of the 360-exclusive games that caught my attention. Either way, I forked out my hard-earned cash and bought it.
And for a while, I was happy. There were many things that I was impressed with, and so over time, I was convinced that I had made the right decision. The fact that your games were pretty abysmal as far as content was concerned, and the notion that I was forced to pump out countless dollars to play online with my friends was kind of upsetting, and I eventually got to the point where I couldn't afford to play online at all, but I was sure I had made the right decision. Soon, however, things began to change.
About 10 months after owning my 360, I began to question my decision. One night I was playing with my friends, and the game began to make strange sounds and then froze. We reset the 360, and upon reboot, a single blinking red light appeared at the bottom of the console, followed by a strange error message on the screen. We let the 360 sit for a bit, and turned it back on an hour or so later, only to find things were back to normal, and we resumed playing. No more than 3 days later, I received the "Red Ring of Death," a phrase I'm sure your company is all too familiar with.
As I had only a month left on my warranty, I called customer service immediately, and after a 25 min wait (which I'm told is rather short for your standards) I was placed on the phone with "Tony", a dry, emotionless gentleman that could barely speak English. Tony, who was clearly reading from a cue card, proceeded to ask me questions I had already provided answers before. Eventually he "determined" that there was indeed a problem, and filed a repair order. Two days later, I sent off my console with utmost anxiety, knowing that for a while, we would all be without our beloved video gaming entertainment. Upon moving the 360, I noticed a distinct, charred outline in my entertainment center where the console had been standing. I don't recall my SNES ever burning through my hardwood furniture. You read that correctly: YOUR CONSOLE TRIED TO SET MY HOUSE ON FIRE.
I eagerly waited for the 360s return, and days turned into weeks. A MONTH PASSED, and I finally received my 360, and as I was quite eager to play it, I plugged it in right away. No more than 30 minutes later, a familiar blinking red light appeared, followed by an equally familiar error message. The 360 was toast. Again. 30 MINUTES LATER. Did you even fix anything? You have no idea, do you?
I immediately packed up all of my 360 equipment, games, and accessories, and sold them all the next day. Cheap.
This was about 8 months ago, and I haven't looked back since. There are too many upcoming titles that I have a strong desire to play, but based on my experiences, it certainly won't be on any Microsoft products. So, as it stands, I will GLADLY hand over my hard-earned money to your rival counterpart.
Thanks for all you've done for me, Microsoft. You can keep your Halos and your Gears of Wars, and I'll continue to make sure my house remains intact.
*****
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is to inform you that I have made the decision to purchase a Playstation 3 video game console. More importantly, it should be noted that your company drove me to do so, and let me explain why.
First of all, though it may seem irrelevant at this point, I should probably explain my video gaming history as a whole. I have never been a "casual" gaming enthusiast. For as long as I can remember, I have always had at least one video game console at a time, and this neglects the idea of any handheld systems I ever had in my possession. It began, like many, with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the late 80s. A few years after, I received a Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and my life was forever changed. Around the same time, I received a Sega Genesis and a Sega CD, yet I played my Super Nintendo daily, as I was never impressed with anything that my Sega products provided. My SNES was my favorite toy for so many years, until it became obsolete and the Nintendo 64 was released.
A few years after the Nintendo 64 was released, I had finally saved up enough money from my part-time job and purchased one with my own money. I played the N64 daily, but it never held my heart like my SNES had. Shortly after, the Sony Playstation was released, and yet again I bought myself a new system. It was at this point my bonds with Nintendo were broken, and I discovered a new love.
This new system provided games that were geared more towards my demographic at the time, and I think that had a lot to do with my broken ties with Nintendo as a whole. Not to mention all of my friends had Playstations, so bringing games back and forth to each other's houses was easy to do. We would trade games for a week or so at a time, and would master them all before returning them. It was the end all system. So we thought.
Sony introduced the Playstation 2 a few years later, and the response, as I'm sure you know, was outrageous. Third-party games flooded the market, and a Playstation 2 owner had the world at their fingertips. I probably owned close to 40+ games throughout the time I owned my PS2, and I never regretted playing the next. I was a slave to Sony, and I knew it. And I didn't care.
I'm told you, Microsoft, released a console around this time, too. The XBOX, the "giant black brick with a stupid name," was unnecessary to me or my friends. We had no need for it. We had a PS2. EVERYONE had a PS2. Why do I think you knew that already?
You may be beginning to wonder how your company drove me away. Let me explain..
I held onto my PS2 for many years, until the current generation of consoles was introduced. I watched the battle between you and Sony and Nintendo wage on for years before I finally settled on which next-gen console to buy. Nintendo's Wii was out of the question.. If I had wanted to sit around playing a majority of children's games, I would have picked up one of my niece's educational V-Tech toys. It was down to Microsoft v. Sony, XBOX360 v. PS3.
Ironically, I separated myself from the legacy Sony had created and bought an XBOX360.
I couldn't tell you why I bought it at the time. Maybe it was the store clerk who nudged me in that direction. Maybe it was a couple of the 360-exclusive games that caught my attention. Either way, I forked out my hard-earned cash and bought it.
And for a while, I was happy. There were many things that I was impressed with, and so over time, I was convinced that I had made the right decision. The fact that your games were pretty abysmal as far as content was concerned, and the notion that I was forced to pump out countless dollars to play online with my friends was kind of upsetting, and I eventually got to the point where I couldn't afford to play online at all, but I was sure I had made the right decision. Soon, however, things began to change.
About 10 months after owning my 360, I began to question my decision. One night I was playing with my friends, and the game began to make strange sounds and then froze. We reset the 360, and upon reboot, a single blinking red light appeared at the bottom of the console, followed by a strange error message on the screen. We let the 360 sit for a bit, and turned it back on an hour or so later, only to find things were back to normal, and we resumed playing. No more than 3 days later, I received the "Red Ring of Death," a phrase I'm sure your company is all too familiar with.
As I had only a month left on my warranty, I called customer service immediately, and after a 25 min wait (which I'm told is rather short for your standards) I was placed on the phone with "Tony", a dry, emotionless gentleman that could barely speak English. Tony, who was clearly reading from a cue card, proceeded to ask me questions I had already provided answers before. Eventually he "determined" that there was indeed a problem, and filed a repair order. Two days later, I sent off my console with utmost anxiety, knowing that for a while, we would all be without our beloved video gaming entertainment. Upon moving the 360, I noticed a distinct, charred outline in my entertainment center where the console had been standing. I don't recall my SNES ever burning through my hardwood furniture. You read that correctly: YOUR CONSOLE TRIED TO SET MY HOUSE ON FIRE.
I eagerly waited for the 360s return, and days turned into weeks. A MONTH PASSED, and I finally received my 360, and as I was quite eager to play it, I plugged it in right away. No more than 30 minutes later, a familiar blinking red light appeared, followed by an equally familiar error message. The 360 was toast. Again. 30 MINUTES LATER. Did you even fix anything? You have no idea, do you?
I immediately packed up all of my 360 equipment, games, and accessories, and sold them all the next day. Cheap.
This was about 8 months ago, and I haven't looked back since. There are too many upcoming titles that I have a strong desire to play, but based on my experiences, it certainly won't be on any Microsoft products. So, as it stands, I will GLADLY hand over my hard-earned money to your rival counterpart.
Thanks for all you've done for me, Microsoft. You can keep your Halos and your Gears of Wars, and I'll continue to make sure my house remains intact.
Some Criticism for LA Noire
Okay... E3's over, PSN's back up (even if my free PSP games are lost to the void because of a programming error a high school freshman studying BASIC would have picked up on) and the Rapture didn't happen. Now unless Battlefield 3 devs announce something like having one less texture in the PS3 version or something of equal earth-shattering importance, I should be able to make a post stay up on the front page for a couple hours.
Let's start by saying I love this game, for much the same reason I loved Heavy Rain. Something daring and different, even if not everything was new and not everything was perfect. We're going to focus on those imperfections, rather than do a full review, since anything good I have to say about the game (and I have a LOT of good to say) has been very well covered by other reviews.
--- Too much of Homicide ---
C'mon, the plot twist is obvious (even to Cole) after the second case. We didn't need another three, followed by a shark-jumping final case to wrap it up. Plus, pretty much every other detective game focuses on murder. It was actually cooler working traffic and arson, because they didn't fall into the same patterns, but I guess they decided to save most of THOSE cases for DLC. Fortunately, you do spend your time on Homicide with my personal favorite partner, not because he's a womanizing alcoholic, but because he's a womanizing alcoholic with a sense of humor.
--- The facial animation shows its strengths, and its weaknesses ---
Yes, the faces move really well and I was in legitimate awe at times. The technology behind it is fascinating, but its limitations became glaringly obvious very quickly.
- All men have perfect faces and short hair (even the "horribly burnt" veteran?) Makes sense, it WAS the 40's and we were all cleaning up after the depression.
- All women wear a necklace or scarf to separate their necks from their torsos? Okay, I'll believe that.
- Not all pedophiles have mustaches? Bulls***.
What I'm saying is don't expect this technology to flood the market. It works well here, but in an action/fantasy setting, or any setting where people might grow beards, traditional mo-cap may be the best route.
Now, if this were any other game, I'd have rather seen better looking... well, everything else, but LA Noire actually USES its the technology for its interrogation gameplay. Which brings me to my next point...
--- "Truth, Doubt, Lie" aren't always appropriate reactions ---
So many "answers" you're given are very vague, you can't really call them answers. It helps to think of "doubting" as "putting pressure on" but even that isn't consistent. Here are some exchanges that you MIGHT consider spoilers, but I wouldn't worry about:
1. "Was your husband wearing glasses when he left?"
"Yes, these new ones he had just bought."
This is one of your first interrogations and you're ready to lay the law down, because you found an obviously old pair of glasses at the scene of the crime! If you were Phoenix Wright, you'd use that evidence to object this bitch a new one... but probably not accuse her of the crime, since that's hardly damning evidence in and of itself. Cole... Cole isn't so smart. The correct response is "Truth," otherwise Cole flips out and accuses her.
2. "You seem to owe [so-and-so] quite a sum of money"
"Everybody owes somebody"
This seems like a time to doubt, since the suspect's acting like he owes someone for dinner when he's caught up in a drug ring. But no, the correct answer is "Truth." Again, true, but if I should pressure anyone I think it's a drug dealer.
3. "Tell us about [this guy]"
"I don't know any [this guy]"
Okay, I have no solid evidence here. He has this guy's lottery tickets, but that doesn't mean he deals directly with this guy. He is obviously lying though, so let's hit "Doubt?"... nope. Turns out you were supposed to hit "Lie" and present the statement of a man who just happens to deal with both this guy and the suspect, but doesn't claim they're connected. The tickets are a much more direct link, but you can't use those.
4. (this was edited in about a day after this article was approved, but is another good example from the Nicholson Electroplating DLC)
"What do you know about [lady]."
"Oh, that was [guy's] assistant. She came highly recommended."
Now, according to the logic in example 1, this guy is telling the truth. You've found evidence she was a corporate spy, but he doesn't know that. But now, we ARE in Phoenix Wright mode, and we need to call it a "lie" and present her camera. There's a big difference between the objective truth and the subjective truth, and the game can't really decide what the player is supposed to react to.
--- No Cole, I think this DOES pertain to the case ---
You often find what could be valuable evidence and should be presented to suspects, but Cole doesn't feel the need to actually record them in his handy dandy notebook. The result: In conversation #2 above, I accused him of running a drug ring, and was unable to present a CRATE OF MORPHINE twenty feet behind him.
--- All the leaps of logic ---
I didn't think anything could top "This tangentially related creepy guy has the business card of someone from the "Blue Lagoon" club, he MUST be related to the killer!" moment from Heavy Rain, but hoo boy, did LA Noire try sometimes. The stand-out moment is when you find movie tickets on guy's dead girlfriend and realize that MUST be where that guy is hiding out. But there's another great moment in "The Naked City" case. When you ask who a dead woman's boyfriend was, the suspect tells you that guy doesn't exist. I had figured the name was an alibi at that point, so "truth" was the natural response. That didn't work. Neither did doubt. When I clicked "Lie:"
"Do you remember your first heist? Do I need to spell this out for you?!"
"Pft, I dunno, I don't keep a list of these things"
Where the f*** did THAT come from? At that point it's obvious that you had to present the guy's rap sheet, and then Cole somehow pieces together that their first target was the boyfriend who then ended up running the burglary ring... WHAT?! There is ZERO way anybody could have pieced that together, and whether you get it right or not, the suspect immediately fesses up to the identity of the man in the following cutscene. So what's the point?!
Let's start by saying I love this game, for much the same reason I loved Heavy Rain. Something daring and different, even if not everything was new and not everything was perfect. We're going to focus on those imperfections, rather than do a full review, since anything good I have to say about the game (and I have a LOT of good to say) has been very well covered by other reviews.
--- Too much of Homicide ---
C'mon, the plot twist is obvious (even to Cole) after the second case. We didn't need another three, followed by a shark-jumping final case to wrap it up. Plus, pretty much every other detective game focuses on murder. It was actually cooler working traffic and arson, because they didn't fall into the same patterns, but I guess they decided to save most of THOSE cases for DLC. Fortunately, you do spend your time on Homicide with my personal favorite partner, not because he's a womanizing alcoholic, but because he's a womanizing alcoholic with a sense of humor.
--- The facial animation shows its strengths, and its weaknesses ---
Yes, the faces move really well and I was in legitimate awe at times. The technology behind it is fascinating, but its limitations became glaringly obvious very quickly.
- All men have perfect faces and short hair (even the "horribly burnt" veteran?) Makes sense, it WAS the 40's and we were all cleaning up after the depression.
- All women wear a necklace or scarf to separate their necks from their torsos? Okay, I'll believe that.
- Not all pedophiles have mustaches? Bulls***.
What I'm saying is don't expect this technology to flood the market. It works well here, but in an action/fantasy setting, or any setting where people might grow beards, traditional mo-cap may be the best route.
Now, if this were any other game, I'd have rather seen better looking... well, everything else, but LA Noire actually USES its the technology for its interrogation gameplay. Which brings me to my next point...
--- "Truth, Doubt, Lie" aren't always appropriate reactions ---
So many "answers" you're given are very vague, you can't really call them answers. It helps to think of "doubting" as "putting pressure on" but even that isn't consistent. Here are some exchanges that you MIGHT consider spoilers, but I wouldn't worry about:
1. "Was your husband wearing glasses when he left?"
"Yes, these new ones he had just bought."
This is one of your first interrogations and you're ready to lay the law down, because you found an obviously old pair of glasses at the scene of the crime! If you were Phoenix Wright, you'd use that evidence to object this bitch a new one... but probably not accuse her of the crime, since that's hardly damning evidence in and of itself. Cole... Cole isn't so smart. The correct response is "Truth," otherwise Cole flips out and accuses her.
2. "You seem to owe [so-and-so] quite a sum of money"
"Everybody owes somebody"
This seems like a time to doubt, since the suspect's acting like he owes someone for dinner when he's caught up in a drug ring. But no, the correct answer is "Truth." Again, true, but if I should pressure anyone I think it's a drug dealer.
3. "Tell us about [this guy]"
"I don't know any [this guy]"
Okay, I have no solid evidence here. He has this guy's lottery tickets, but that doesn't mean he deals directly with this guy. He is obviously lying though, so let's hit "Doubt?"... nope. Turns out you were supposed to hit "Lie" and present the statement of a man who just happens to deal with both this guy and the suspect, but doesn't claim they're connected. The tickets are a much more direct link, but you can't use those.
4. (this was edited in about a day after this article was approved, but is another good example from the Nicholson Electroplating DLC)
"What do you know about [lady]."
"Oh, that was [guy's] assistant. She came highly recommended."
Now, according to the logic in example 1, this guy is telling the truth. You've found evidence she was a corporate spy, but he doesn't know that. But now, we ARE in Phoenix Wright mode, and we need to call it a "lie" and present her camera. There's a big difference between the objective truth and the subjective truth, and the game can't really decide what the player is supposed to react to.
--- No Cole, I think this DOES pertain to the case ---
You often find what could be valuable evidence and should be presented to suspects, but Cole doesn't feel the need to actually record them in his handy dandy notebook. The result: In conversation #2 above, I accused him of running a drug ring, and was unable to present a CRATE OF MORPHINE twenty feet behind him.
--- All the leaps of logic ---
I didn't think anything could top "This tangentially related creepy guy has the business card of someone from the "Blue Lagoon" club, he MUST be related to the killer!" moment from Heavy Rain, but hoo boy, did LA Noire try sometimes. The stand-out moment is when you find movie tickets on guy's dead girlfriend and realize that MUST be where that guy is hiding out. But there's another great moment in "The Naked City" case. When you ask who a dead woman's boyfriend was, the suspect tells you that guy doesn't exist. I had figured the name was an alibi at that point, so "truth" was the natural response. That didn't work. Neither did doubt. When I clicked "Lie:"
"Do you remember your first heist? Do I need to spell this out for you?!"
"Pft, I dunno, I don't keep a list of these things"
Where the f*** did THAT come from? At that point it's obvious that you had to present the guy's rap sheet, and then Cole somehow pieces together that their first target was the boyfriend who then ended up running the burglary ring... WHAT?! There is ZERO way anybody could have pieced that together, and whether you get it right or not, the suspect immediately fesses up to the identity of the man in the following cutscene. So what's the point?!
Wii U a quick look.
So nintendo finally dropped the curtain on their new console the "Wii U" trying to ride on the back of the Wii's success with the naming which is very shrewd. although the unveiling of the console was probably one of the most confusing things ever, most people wasn't sure what they had seen at first as they only showed the controller. most people thought it was just a new controller for the Wii, but it was indeed a new console (which we didnt find out until after the conference, which is when they actually started giving info out about it.)
A bit of a messy start then, but on to the console itself it looks just like the Wii but a little chubbier. its reportedly more powerful than this generations consoles PS3/360 which are now getting on for 6 to 7 years into their respected life cycle's, but nobody really knows the power of it as that's something Ninty's keeping close to its chest for now.
But some devs have been talking it up such as Ubisoft (who showed their support by showing some games ghost re-con online and killer freaks from outer space) also they had a list of third party developers all committing to the cause, but admittedly all the stuff that was shown was from the PS3/360 counter parts as presumably they hadn't had time to prepare anything.
On to the controller which was star of their presentation, it has a 6.5 inch touch screen in the centre which has non capacitive features as opposed to capacitive (which means you can only touch it once to get working as with capacitive you can touch it with two fingers and it still responds.) it also has 2 slide pads instead of analogue sticks (similar too the 3DS one) which some people have said doesn't feel as accurate as analogue sticks. a cross pad, 4 buttons adorn the front, but it also has 2 top shoulder buttons and 2 trigger buttons on the back and a ridge to rest your middle fingers on and for comfort.
people who tried the pad said it was light to hold (so hopefully it wont get too uncomfortable to hold for long periods) but once the battery is in place it may be heavier.
More controversially Nintendo stated you would be only be able to use one touch screen controller per machine, at the time Nintendo said this was a cost issue and they didn't want to sell them separately, although its not official it is worrying seeing as the second player will have to use a Wii-mote (the console will be backwards compatible with the Wii games and peripherals).
On to the tech demos that were shown:
Battle Mii:
A game where one person controls a ship with the touch pad while another 2 people hunt them down with their Wii-motes, graphically it looked just like a Mii game with higher res graphics but it had a metroidy look to it.
Chase Mii:
A game where one person has the touch pad (again) and another 4 have to chase him through a maze and catch him, a bit like tag.it required team work from the 4 chasing but the player with the touch pad had the advantage of having a map of the area and seeing where the others were.
Shield Pose:
This was a Rhythm action game using the touch pads screen to look all around you in a 360 degree motion to stop arrows from hitting you. it was pirate themed and the pirate in the middle of the screen tells you which direction they were coming from, you could look left of the screen right and up and in each direction was a ship or the moon. it made good use of the area outside your TV as it brought your living room into the game. hopefully we will see more of this kind of thing in the future games.
They showed 2 HD videos one of a bird flying over a pond in glorious high def, you could also control the camera and move the pad 360 degree area around the screen.
Then there was Zelda HD which gave us a glimpse into what graphically we might expect from the Wii U, and boy did it look good, you were able to change the cameras and day and night cycle and also bring a map up on either the main screen or on the touch pad. the lighting looked amazing and the detail looked awesome. you could also put the action straight onto the touch pad which didn't suffer from much graphical degradation.
So it all looks like its going in the right direction for the WiiU, we just have to wait for the Tokyo game show where im sure we will see some actual game footage, console specs, and probably pricing.
As for me I cant wait to play one, I just hope they get the pricing right (300-350) and you can expect it to release
A bit of a messy start then, but on to the console itself it looks just like the Wii but a little chubbier. its reportedly more powerful than this generations consoles PS3/360 which are now getting on for 6 to 7 years into their respected life cycle's, but nobody really knows the power of it as that's something Ninty's keeping close to its chest for now.
But some devs have been talking it up such as Ubisoft (who showed their support by showing some games ghost re-con online and killer freaks from outer space) also they had a list of third party developers all committing to the cause, but admittedly all the stuff that was shown was from the PS3/360 counter parts as presumably they hadn't had time to prepare anything.
On to the controller which was star of their presentation, it has a 6.5 inch touch screen in the centre which has non capacitive features as opposed to capacitive (which means you can only touch it once to get working as with capacitive you can touch it with two fingers and it still responds.) it also has 2 slide pads instead of analogue sticks (similar too the 3DS one) which some people have said doesn't feel as accurate as analogue sticks. a cross pad, 4 buttons adorn the front, but it also has 2 top shoulder buttons and 2 trigger buttons on the back and a ridge to rest your middle fingers on and for comfort.
people who tried the pad said it was light to hold (so hopefully it wont get too uncomfortable to hold for long periods) but once the battery is in place it may be heavier.
More controversially Nintendo stated you would be only be able to use one touch screen controller per machine, at the time Nintendo said this was a cost issue and they didn't want to sell them separately, although its not official it is worrying seeing as the second player will have to use a Wii-mote (the console will be backwards compatible with the Wii games and peripherals).
On to the tech demos that were shown:
Battle Mii:
A game where one person controls a ship with the touch pad while another 2 people hunt them down with their Wii-motes, graphically it looked just like a Mii game with higher res graphics but it had a metroidy look to it.
Chase Mii:
A game where one person has the touch pad (again) and another 4 have to chase him through a maze and catch him, a bit like tag.it required team work from the 4 chasing but the player with the touch pad had the advantage of having a map of the area and seeing where the others were.
Shield Pose:
This was a Rhythm action game using the touch pads screen to look all around you in a 360 degree motion to stop arrows from hitting you. it was pirate themed and the pirate in the middle of the screen tells you which direction they were coming from, you could look left of the screen right and up and in each direction was a ship or the moon. it made good use of the area outside your TV as it brought your living room into the game. hopefully we will see more of this kind of thing in the future games.
They showed 2 HD videos one of a bird flying over a pond in glorious high def, you could also control the camera and move the pad 360 degree area around the screen.
Then there was Zelda HD which gave us a glimpse into what graphically we might expect from the Wii U, and boy did it look good, you were able to change the cameras and day and night cycle and also bring a map up on either the main screen or on the touch pad. the lighting looked amazing and the detail looked awesome. you could also put the action straight onto the touch pad which didn't suffer from much graphical degradation.
So it all looks like its going in the right direction for the WiiU, we just have to wait for the Tokyo game show where im sure we will see some actual game footage, console specs, and probably pricing.
As for me I cant wait to play one, I just hope they get the pricing right (300-350) and you can expect it to release
We don't talk about it.
Yes this is about piracy, in particular game piracy but it applies partially to movies (Movies can be rented though it is less convenient and has less a selection), though not so much to music.
Just to get it out of the way with first. So where do I stand on it? I'm on both sides so technically neutral.
As a little bit of a prologue; I have in the past been a prolific downloader of free entertainment. I know I'm a horrible person. My reasons where cheapness and tempting freebies. I was a PC gamer I am now a console gamer, and I'm going to poke the bear right now.
I don't know a PC gamer who doesn't pirate at least some of the games they play.
As long as there has been pc games there has been pirating of them. When the internet lit up warez sites came on the scene.
It's progressed through there into various p2p services. Which has resulted in a competing (and successful) market of digital games. Which some ex pirates have said has curbed their piracy. Many indie games do quite well and are small enough to fly below the radar of downloaders. Plus they release their games at fair prices, which obviously nets them more sales.
See I think the piracy doesn't stem from an urge to steal, or a need for free games. No I think it's a need for cheap games, there has never been a PC (or handheld console) equivalent of game rentals. Many games have no re-playability at all, but still ask the same sixty or so dollars as other better games do. This is a market where the quality of the product has nothing to do with the price.
Most of the games I downloaded I didn't play for more then a few hours. I just wanted to try them and see if they were any good. I remember buying a number of games, diablo and warcraft battle chests, strategy and star wars game packs, red alert 2, nox, kotor, oblivion, and more. There were some good times there that I spent money on. Most of them I got cheaply in the packs or after they'd been out a while. I think the only new pc game I ever purchased was oblivion.
Switching from pc to console gaming is largely what curbed my downloading.
When I first got a console again after many years I was able to go to a video store and rent games to play until I purchased some.
This was limiting however so after a time I began purchasing and trading in games. Which is almost the same as piracy, except the whole situation is changed. We're not the pirates now, gamestop or whatever store your trading at is the pirate. While we are just consumers of stolen goods. Accessories to thievery, plane and simple.
The way it is set up currently, purchasing a used game at a store is the same as downloading it off a torrent site. Except you pay 85 or 90 percent of full price.
What bothers developers and publishers is that when someone downloads their game (or movie, or music, or book for that matter) that person gets it and they get nothing in return. They created something which is meant to be duplicated and sold but at some point someone is duplicating it and releasing free copies in DIRECT COMPETITION with the original copies.The only difference with used games is that instead of free copies in direct competition it's cheaper copies. Only this time instead of no money being exchanged a third party that is essentially a pawn shop gets all of the profits. Sometimes multiple times on the same disk.
So to summarise pc gamers steal as a form of deformed game renting. Indie games, and digital content providers are good. Used games are bad, and console gamers steal less yet purchase more stolen goods.
Just to get it out of the way with first. So where do I stand on it? I'm on both sides so technically neutral.
As a little bit of a prologue; I have in the past been a prolific downloader of free entertainment. I know I'm a horrible person. My reasons where cheapness and tempting freebies. I was a PC gamer I am now a console gamer, and I'm going to poke the bear right now.
I don't know a PC gamer who doesn't pirate at least some of the games they play.
As long as there has been pc games there has been pirating of them. When the internet lit up warez sites came on the scene.
It's progressed through there into various p2p services. Which has resulted in a competing (and successful) market of digital games. Which some ex pirates have said has curbed their piracy. Many indie games do quite well and are small enough to fly below the radar of downloaders. Plus they release their games at fair prices, which obviously nets them more sales.
See I think the piracy doesn't stem from an urge to steal, or a need for free games. No I think it's a need for cheap games, there has never been a PC (or handheld console) equivalent of game rentals. Many games have no re-playability at all, but still ask the same sixty or so dollars as other better games do. This is a market where the quality of the product has nothing to do with the price.
Most of the games I downloaded I didn't play for more then a few hours. I just wanted to try them and see if they were any good. I remember buying a number of games, diablo and warcraft battle chests, strategy and star wars game packs, red alert 2, nox, kotor, oblivion, and more. There were some good times there that I spent money on. Most of them I got cheaply in the packs or after they'd been out a while. I think the only new pc game I ever purchased was oblivion.
Switching from pc to console gaming is largely what curbed my downloading.
When I first got a console again after many years I was able to go to a video store and rent games to play until I purchased some.
This was limiting however so after a time I began purchasing and trading in games. Which is almost the same as piracy, except the whole situation is changed. We're not the pirates now, gamestop or whatever store your trading at is the pirate. While we are just consumers of stolen goods. Accessories to thievery, plane and simple.
The way it is set up currently, purchasing a used game at a store is the same as downloading it off a torrent site. Except you pay 85 or 90 percent of full price.
What bothers developers and publishers is that when someone downloads their game (or movie, or music, or book for that matter) that person gets it and they get nothing in return. They created something which is meant to be duplicated and sold but at some point someone is duplicating it and releasing free copies in DIRECT COMPETITION with the original copies.The only difference with used games is that instead of free copies in direct competition it's cheaper copies. Only this time instead of no money being exchanged a third party that is essentially a pawn shop gets all of the profits. Sometimes multiple times on the same disk.
So to summarise pc gamers steal as a form of deformed game renting. Indie games, and digital content providers are good. Used games are bad, and console gamers steal less yet purchase more stolen goods.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Chinese Couple Sells All Three Kids to Play Online Games
A young Chinese couple has sold all three of their children in exchange for money to play online Nick jr games at Internet cafes, reports a southern Chinese newspaper.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
According to Sanxiang City News, the couple met in an Internet cafe back in 2007 and bonded over their obsession with online video games. A year later, the parents — who are both under 21 — welcomed their first child, a son. Days after his birth, they left him home alone while they went to play online agame at an Internet cafe 30 km away.
In 2009, Li Lin and Li Juan welcomed their second child, a baby girl, and came up with the idea to sell her for money to fund their online game obsession. They did so, receiving RMB 3,000 (less than $500), which they spent entirely shortly after. The couple then proceeded to sell their first child and got 10 times as much for him — RMB 30,000, or about $4600.
Upon having their third child — another boy — the parents followed in their previous footsteps and also got RMB 30,000 for him.
They were finally turned into authorities when Li Lin’s mother found out what her son and his girlfriend had done.
When asked if they missed their children, the parents answered, “We don’t want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money.”
Sanxiang City Newsreports the couple didn’t know they were breaking the law.
Official Pokemon Game Coming To Smartphones
The Pokemon Company is set to bring an official Pokemon Online game to smartphone devices, marking the first time that an official Nintendo-copyrighted app will be available on the iOS and Android.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Called Pokemon Iie Tap (rougly Pokemon: Say Tap?), the app appears to be a rhythm game where players “tap on Pokemon indigo trading cards to the beat of a song from the anime,” according to a translation by consumer video game site GamesRadar.
According to the game’s official announcement, it will be available for most iOS devices, as well as Android devices running version 2.1 of the platform.
Though this is the first iOS or Android application to carry an official Nintendo copyright, it is not the first mobile app of any kind: a Pokemon mobile phone game called Pokemate was released in Japan in 2006.
Though it is a rarity, Nintendo does have a history of releasing official games on platforms that are not its own, including a promotional Flash game to promote its Tingle character.
A release outside of Japan has not been announced.
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Play the Scary Maze Game With Your Friends!
Have you ever played the Scary Maze Game 8 now? If not, brotha you haven’t lived!!! This maze game is the most awesome game on earth! But in order to play it you MUST have a partner in the room with you. So go find a friend, co-hort, or even an enemy – it doesn’t matter! Then match your wits and your mouse skills with the game and see if you’re awesome enough to win the BIG prize at the end!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Google+ Games hit the iPad, thanks to iSwifter update
If you're willing to pay to play a free Facebook game on your iPad, then enjoy the ability to pay to play free Google+ Games, too. VentureBeat reports that iSwifter, the nifty iPad app that allows users to play Flash-based Facebook games on the device, just opened itself up to the growing stable of games on Google+ in update 4.1.
Available for free in the App Store (though, the app itself charges a subscription fee), the update essentially allows players to access the Google+ games in a mock browser that streams the information from the Flash-based games. This is, of course, because iOS devices are notorious for their lack of Flash support.
"The iSwifter platform's "instant-on" streaming capability makes it pretty quick and easy to add new games," iSwifter founder Rajat Ali told VentureBeat. And we're gonna go off on a limb and say that Ali's words mean this is just the beginning for iSwifter.
Crime City in iSwifter for iPad
Well, until Project Spartan, the rumored not-so-secret effort to bring a full-featured, game and app-rich Facebook to mobile browsers, releases. But considering the app has garnered over 500,000 paying players since its release, we're sure iSwifter has some tricks up its sleeves to maintain relevant as the industry shifts.
Click here to download iSwifter for iPad Now >
[Image Credit: Apple]
Would you ever pay a fee in order to play your favorite Facebook or Google+ Games on the go? Do you think iSwifter will survive once projects like Project Spartan goes public? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Available for free in the App Store (though, the app itself charges a subscription fee), the update essentially allows players to access the Google+ games in a mock browser that streams the information from the Flash-based games. This is, of course, because iOS devices are notorious for their lack of Flash support.
"The iSwifter platform's "instant-on" streaming capability makes it pretty quick and easy to add new games," iSwifter founder Rajat Ali told VentureBeat. And we're gonna go off on a limb and say that Ali's words mean this is just the beginning for iSwifter.
Crime City in iSwifter for iPad
Well, until Project Spartan, the rumored not-so-secret effort to bring a full-featured, game and app-rich Facebook to mobile browsers, releases. But considering the app has garnered over 500,000 paying players since its release, we're sure iSwifter has some tricks up its sleeves to maintain relevant as the industry shifts.
Click here to download iSwifter for iPad Now >
[Image Credit: Apple]
Would you ever pay a fee in order to play your favorite Facebook or Google+ Games on the go? Do you think iSwifter will survive once projects like Project Spartan goes public? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
OpenFeint looks more like Facebook with GameFeed update on iOS
There are some things that Facebook just does right, and it shows in every social network since. The 115 million player-strong mobile social gaming network, OpenFeint, got the hint, too. The company of the same name just released the GameFeed to its iOS SDK (software development kit), TechCrunch reports.
This will allow mobile game creators to include OpenFeint's GameFeed into their iOS games along with all the other social game-like features OpenFeint offers.The GameFeed will appear as a news ticker of sorts in the OpenFeint hub of games that support it, providing players with updates on their friends profiles and progress in other games like achievements.
While the GameFeed has been available to Android game creators since around June, this sure does sound a lot like the Games Ticker on Facebook. (At least it does on paper, anyway.) According to TechCrunch, OpenFeint claims that during beta tests with 24 people, GameFeed increased sessions-per-user by 25 percent, and that some developers are experiencing a 60 percent in sessions-per-user.
OpenFeint GameFeed
This seems to imply that the existence of the GameFeed increases players' tendency to return to their games multiple times. Surely, this technology will come in handy for Japanese mobile game publisher Gree's upcoming global mobile social games network, powered by OpenFeint.
Have you ever played an iPhone game using OpenFeint? What do you think of the live news feed approach to (mobile) social gaming these days? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
This will allow mobile game creators to include OpenFeint's GameFeed into their iOS games along with all the other social game-like features OpenFeint offers.The GameFeed will appear as a news ticker of sorts in the OpenFeint hub of games that support it, providing players with updates on their friends profiles and progress in other games like achievements.
While the GameFeed has been available to Android game creators since around June, this sure does sound a lot like the Games Ticker on Facebook. (At least it does on paper, anyway.) According to TechCrunch, OpenFeint claims that during beta tests with 24 people, GameFeed increased sessions-per-user by 25 percent, and that some developers are experiencing a 60 percent in sessions-per-user.
OpenFeint GameFeed
This seems to imply that the existence of the GameFeed increases players' tendency to return to their games multiple times. Surely, this technology will come in handy for Japanese mobile game publisher Gree's upcoming global mobile social games network, powered by OpenFeint.
Have you ever played an iPhone game using OpenFeint? What do you think of the live news feed approach to (mobile) social gaming these days? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Activision Blizzard 'methodically investing in mobile and social gaming'
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
Can this love-hate relationship between veteran games publisher Activision Blizzard and Facebook games end now? VentureBeat reports that, during an analyst meeting, Activision CFO Thomas Tippl said that the company is "methodically investing in mobile and social gaming projects." Tippl also went into how the publisher could make a whopping $1.25 billion from new projects that seek new, non-traditional sources of revenue like micro-transactions and in-game purchases. You know, like Facebook and mobile social games?
However, there seems to be a major disconnect in the company's overall ideology between executives, unless Activision is simply telling the right folks what they want to hear. Recently, Activision Publishing boss Eric Hirshberg said, "Valuations of some of the companies in that space are out of whack," to Bloomberg at this year's Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany. In the very same interview, Hirshberg hinted that the Call of Duty (pictured) pusher is looking into social games.
And before then, Hirshberg said during the 13th Annual Pacific Crest Global Technology Leadership Forum that, "Call of Duty has more players who pay-to-play online than any Facebook game, and our players pay more per player on average than any Facebook game."
What's even better is that before Hirshberg came to hardcore gaming's defense, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick outright revealed that "a lot of work is being done on Facebook games" within the company. Now, it's completely fine for traditional publishers to get into new distribution models than your tried, true and tired retail stores--just look at, well, everybody else.
However, it seems that at least some Activision Blizzard folks are entering Facebook and mobile games kicking and screaming, based on what Hirshberg has been saying compared to his colleagues. (Though, neither Kotick nor Tippl sound particularly thrilled about the whole ordeal, either.)
That said, the publisher would definitely benefit from a more unified--and a little more chipper, eh?--message if it wants to convince Facebook and mobile gamers to hop on board. And based on the way Activision Blizzard has been talking about its social game efforts, we just can't wait to see these games.
Are you excited or worried to hear that Activision Blizzard is getting into social games "officially?" How do you think the company will fare with the likes of EA and Zynga. Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Can this love-hate relationship between veteran games publisher Activision Blizzard and Facebook games end now? VentureBeat reports that, during an analyst meeting, Activision CFO Thomas Tippl said that the company is "methodically investing in mobile and social gaming projects." Tippl also went into how the publisher could make a whopping $1.25 billion from new projects that seek new, non-traditional sources of revenue like micro-transactions and in-game purchases. You know, like Facebook and mobile social games?
However, there seems to be a major disconnect in the company's overall ideology between executives, unless Activision is simply telling the right folks what they want to hear. Recently, Activision Publishing boss Eric Hirshberg said, "Valuations of some of the companies in that space are out of whack," to Bloomberg at this year's Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany. In the very same interview, Hirshberg hinted that the Call of Duty (pictured) pusher is looking into social games.
And before then, Hirshberg said during the 13th Annual Pacific Crest Global Technology Leadership Forum that, "Call of Duty has more players who pay-to-play online than any Facebook game, and our players pay more per player on average than any Facebook game."
What's even better is that before Hirshberg came to hardcore gaming's defense, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick outright revealed that "a lot of work is being done on Facebook games" within the company. Now, it's completely fine for traditional publishers to get into new distribution models than your tried, true and tired retail stores--just look at, well, everybody else.
However, it seems that at least some Activision Blizzard folks are entering Facebook and mobile games kicking and screaming, based on what Hirshberg has been saying compared to his colleagues. (Though, neither Kotick nor Tippl sound particularly thrilled about the whole ordeal, either.)
That said, the publisher would definitely benefit from a more unified--and a little more chipper, eh?--message if it wants to convince Facebook and mobile gamers to hop on board. And based on the way Activision Blizzard has been talking about its social game efforts, we just can't wait to see these games.
Are you excited or worried to hear that Activision Blizzard is getting into social games "officially?" How do you think the company will fare with the likes of EA and Zynga. Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Smurfs' Grabber latches onto iPhone, iPad with its puffy, white claws
At this point, mobile gamers are blue with Smurf fever after what I like to call "The Summer of the Smurf." To ring out this smurftastic summer with a bang is yet again Beeline Interactive, Capcom's mobile games arm, with Smurfs' Grabber. Released today--for free, mind you--to App Store, Smurfs' Grabber puts players in control of a giant mechanical Smurf arm in what amounts to a grab machine.
Well, a grab machine with a purpose: It's your job to not only grab as many ingredients from the ground within the allotted 60 seconds you have for each session, but to grab the right ones for a series of potions and other items. Between rounds, you can turn in these items in various quantities and combinations to unlock prizes, namely your fellow Smurfs. These Smurfs bring special powers into your gameplay sessions like dropping presents for bonuses or providing extra XP to level up.
As you continue to grab items, you'll notice that the gameplay is bit more complicated than your standard grab machine. The ingredients have a tendency to do as they please, and will rearrange themselves randomly as you attempt to grab them. So, you can likely already imagine that timing is crucial in Smurfs' Grabber. But don't worry, you'll get to improve your grabbing skills across three differently-themed grab machines with Papa, Smurfette and Greedy Smurf.
Smurfs' Grabber in action
The game doesn't have any Facebook features to speak of--though, they're coming soon--but is integrated with Apple's Game Center to spur some competition. Better yet is the promise that, after a future update, you will be able to grab items in Smurfs' Grabber for your village in Smurfs' Village (yo dawg), Beeline's first Smurfs game. While the game isn't much more than an adorable time-waster at the moment, it could become far more useful to you Smurfs' Village fans once the update arrives.
Again, this smurfable (what?) game is free-to-play, but is supported by in-game purchases, a point Beeline makes terribly clear in the game's description on the App Store. A notice even appears the first time you boot up the game, warning you of the many facets of in-app purchases. Remember, parents: iPad games with mommy and daddy only!
Click here to download Smurfs' Grabber for Free in the App Store Now >
[Image Credit: Apple]
Are you already in on the Smurfs craze on your iPhone and on Facebook? What do you think of Smurfs' Grabber, and how long can the Smurfs madness last? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Well, a grab machine with a purpose: It's your job to not only grab as many ingredients from the ground within the allotted 60 seconds you have for each session, but to grab the right ones for a series of potions and other items. Between rounds, you can turn in these items in various quantities and combinations to unlock prizes, namely your fellow Smurfs. These Smurfs bring special powers into your gameplay sessions like dropping presents for bonuses or providing extra XP to level up.
As you continue to grab items, you'll notice that the gameplay is bit more complicated than your standard grab machine. The ingredients have a tendency to do as they please, and will rearrange themselves randomly as you attempt to grab them. So, you can likely already imagine that timing is crucial in Smurfs' Grabber. But don't worry, you'll get to improve your grabbing skills across three differently-themed grab machines with Papa, Smurfette and Greedy Smurf.
Smurfs' Grabber in action
The game doesn't have any Facebook features to speak of--though, they're coming soon--but is integrated with Apple's Game Center to spur some competition. Better yet is the promise that, after a future update, you will be able to grab items in Smurfs' Grabber for your village in Smurfs' Village (yo dawg), Beeline's first Smurfs game. While the game isn't much more than an adorable time-waster at the moment, it could become far more useful to you Smurfs' Village fans once the update arrives.
Again, this smurfable (what?) game is free-to-play, but is supported by in-game purchases, a point Beeline makes terribly clear in the game's description on the App Store. A notice even appears the first time you boot up the game, warning you of the many facets of in-app purchases. Remember, parents: iPad games with mommy and daddy only!
Click here to download Smurfs' Grabber for Free in the App Store Now >
[Image Credit: Apple]
Are you already in on the Smurfs craze on your iPhone and on Facebook? What do you think of Smurfs' Grabber, and how long can the Smurfs madness last? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Call of Duty lands on Facebook ... in its upcoming Elite social network
Did you know that there is a Call of Duty (CoD) convention now? (And that the Dropkick Murphy's and Kanye West are performing there?) Crazy, we know, but at any rate some vital details about Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty Elite social network were revealed during the event in Los Angeles known as Call of Duty XP, according to VentureBeat.
Most importantly, the social network for all things CoD from consoles to the web and mobile apps will feature Facebook integration, allowing players to invite their friends to become CoD buddies with them. Better yet, you'll even be able to send Facebook friends invites for them to join you while you're playing, which should make it easier to find friends to play with.
We're not at the point of posting Achievements to your News Feed or asking friends to help you build your new gun just yet, but this a major step for a publisher that has yet to submit completely if at all to the allure of Facebook gaming. The service will also be free to use ... sort of.
Activision Blizzard plans to charge players $49.99 annually for an optional premium version of the Call of Duty Elite service. This will give players access to 20 pieces of downloadable content released for the game (including the map expansion packs that go for $14.99 usually), the ability to level up your clans, access to insider tips and video content directed by acclaimed directors Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.
Call of Duty Elite
The freebie players will still have access to multiplayer, stat tracking and the ability to join clans among other features, to which Activision Publishing president Eric Hirshberg added, "We made sure that we didn't take anything away from people who are paying money for the game," according to VentureBeat.
What Hirshberg is saying is that if you choose not to pay the premium subscription fee and buy additional content at your leisure, not much will change for you when it comes to gameplay. Call of Duty Elite, which has been in development at the publisher's Beachhead Studios for two years, is a huge step in the buzzword direction nearly everyone else is headed: social. Though Activision Blizzard does say that it's investing in Facebook games, Call of Duty Elite seems to be a far better gauge of where the company's interests in Facebook lie, at least with the oomph we see from its competitors like EA.
What do you think of this Call of Duty Elite network now that it has Facebook features? Do you think Activision Blizzard should focus on Facebook games more heavily like its competitors, or is this where the company should stop? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Most importantly, the social network for all things CoD from consoles to the web and mobile apps will feature Facebook integration, allowing players to invite their friends to become CoD buddies with them. Better yet, you'll even be able to send Facebook friends invites for them to join you while you're playing, which should make it easier to find friends to play with.
We're not at the point of posting Achievements to your News Feed or asking friends to help you build your new gun just yet, but this a major step for a publisher that has yet to submit completely if at all to the allure of Facebook gaming. The service will also be free to use ... sort of.
Activision Blizzard plans to charge players $49.99 annually for an optional premium version of the Call of Duty Elite service. This will give players access to 20 pieces of downloadable content released for the game (including the map expansion packs that go for $14.99 usually), the ability to level up your clans, access to insider tips and video content directed by acclaimed directors Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.
Call of Duty Elite
The freebie players will still have access to multiplayer, stat tracking and the ability to join clans among other features, to which Activision Publishing president Eric Hirshberg added, "We made sure that we didn't take anything away from people who are paying money for the game," according to VentureBeat.
What Hirshberg is saying is that if you choose not to pay the premium subscription fee and buy additional content at your leisure, not much will change for you when it comes to gameplay. Call of Duty Elite, which has been in development at the publisher's Beachhead Studios for two years, is a huge step in the buzzword direction nearly everyone else is headed: social. Though Activision Blizzard does say that it's investing in Facebook games, Call of Duty Elite seems to be a far better gauge of where the company's interests in Facebook lie, at least with the oomph we see from its competitors like EA.
What do you think of this Call of Duty Elite network now that it has Facebook features? Do you think Activision Blizzard should focus on Facebook games more heavily like its competitors, or is this where the company should stop? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Thursday, October 6, 2011
CityVille Metropolis items take the fun to the big city
If all of the small-scale businesses and homes in CityVille just aren't doing it for you, and you want some larger skyscrapers to sit beside your (probably) large franchises, you're in luck with the release of new Metropolis items in the game today. These items will be available for 15 days, and you'll be able to purchase either a Mystery Crate to try your luck at receiving a random item, or purchase some of these items outright. Fair warning: these items cost City Cash, so I hope you're ready to bust out your wallet.
Infinite Towers II (Home)
* Costs: 110 City Cash
* Population: 4000 - 7000 citizens
* Rent: 532 coins every day
Destiny's Calling (Home)
* Costs: 55 City Cash
* Population: 1350 - 2650 population
* Rent: 150 coins every two hours
Oasis Apartments II (Home)
* Costs: 65 City Cash
* Population: 1850 - 3650 citizens
* Rent: 200 coins every four hours
Visual Art Academy (Community Building)
* Costs: 70 City Cash
* Raises maximum population cap by 5,000 citizens
In addition to these four items, the Metropolis Mystery Crate will give you a chance at one additional item - the Oasis Apartments I - along with three other items above (the Infinite Towers II, Destiny's Calling and Visual Art Academy). A single crate costs 55 City Cash, so unless you only win the Destiny's Calling, you'll really come out ahead over purchasing items individually. Keep in mind though, you might win duplicates in your quest to get all three at a "discount." As for the Oasis Apartments I, the exclusive item to this crate, it comes with a population of 2,000 - 4,000 citizens and provides 251 coins every eight hours in rent.
Again, these items, including the Mystery Crate are only available in the game for a limited time of around 15 days. We'll make sure to let you know if any themed decorations or businesses launch in this theme in the future, so keep checking back with us!
Will you purchase any of these Skyscrapers for use in your town, or will you try your hand with the Mystery Crate to see if you can walk away with an expensive item for "cheap?" Sound off in the comments.
Infinite Towers II (Home)
* Costs: 110 City Cash
* Population: 4000 - 7000 citizens
* Rent: 532 coins every day
Destiny's Calling (Home)
* Costs: 55 City Cash
* Population: 1350 - 2650 population
* Rent: 150 coins every two hours
Oasis Apartments II (Home)
* Costs: 65 City Cash
* Population: 1850 - 3650 citizens
* Rent: 200 coins every four hours
Visual Art Academy (Community Building)
* Costs: 70 City Cash
* Raises maximum population cap by 5,000 citizens
In addition to these four items, the Metropolis Mystery Crate will give you a chance at one additional item - the Oasis Apartments I - along with three other items above (the Infinite Towers II, Destiny's Calling and Visual Art Academy). A single crate costs 55 City Cash, so unless you only win the Destiny's Calling, you'll really come out ahead over purchasing items individually. Keep in mind though, you might win duplicates in your quest to get all three at a "discount." As for the Oasis Apartments I, the exclusive item to this crate, it comes with a population of 2,000 - 4,000 citizens and provides 251 coins every eight hours in rent.
Again, these items, including the Mystery Crate are only available in the game for a limited time of around 15 days. We'll make sure to let you know if any themed decorations or businesses launch in this theme in the future, so keep checking back with us!
Will you purchase any of these Skyscrapers for use in your town, or will you try your hand with the Mystery Crate to see if you can walk away with an expensive item for "cheap?" Sound off in the comments.
FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Chapter 2 Goals: Everything you need to know
Since Zynga has changed the layout of goals in FarmVille's newest Lighthouse Cove expansion, so that everyone is on the same page via quickly expiring goal series, you might be currently left with little to do (as the goals will disappear whether you've finished them or not). In order to make us all busy again, Zynga has launched a series of three new goals in the game which bring us to Chapter 2 in the overall Lighthouse Cove story. This chapter contains more of the same in terms of tasks. You'll need to collect some items, plant some crops and so on, so nothing should be overly difficult. You'll have a week to finish these three goals, so let's get started.
Get a Moove On
* Collect 3 Cow Treats
* Harvest 55 Hay
* Harvest Lighthouse Cove
For this particular goal, it doesn't matter what level you've reached in the repair of your Lighthouse Cove, so long as you harvest it when it's "ready." Your opportunity comes around once per day (if you're routine in collecting from it), so at least you won't be too delayed if you've already harvested your Cove before these goals roll around to your account. As for the Cow Treats, they're earned though a general news post on your wall. Finishing this first goal gives you 100 XP, a River Otter and 5,000 coins.
A Leash on Life
* Get 3 Cow Tethers
* Harvest 55 Kennebec Potatoes
* Improve the Cove to Level 2
If you've been working on repairing your Lighthouse Cove ever since you landed in the new farm, I would be incredibly surprised if you haven't already reached Level 2, but if not, here's our guide to upgrading so you can finish the task quickly. As for the Cow Tethers - you guessed it - they're earned through another general wall post. Complete this goal and you'll earn 200 XP, a Sailor Gnome and 2,500 coins.
A Spoonful of Sugar
* Get 3 Sugar Cubes
* Harvest 55 Butter & Sugar Corn
* Make Creamed Corn Two Times
The Sugar Cubes are earned through one final news feed post on your wall, while the Creamed Corn is a recipe inside your Restaurant. A single Creamed Corn preparation requires three Butter & Sugar Corn bushels, along with three Tarragon bushels and a Pepper bushel. Finishing this final goal gives you 300 XP, a Black Gum Tree and 2,500 coins.
While the rewards for these goals may not be overly exciting, at least the goals themselves are relatively easy to match. We'll make sure to let you know when Chapter 3 of these goals releases, so keep checking back with us!
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Chapter 2 Lighthouse Cove goals in FarmVille? Sound off in the comments.
Get a Moove On
* Collect 3 Cow Treats
* Harvest 55 Hay
* Harvest Lighthouse Cove
For this particular goal, it doesn't matter what level you've reached in the repair of your Lighthouse Cove, so long as you harvest it when it's "ready." Your opportunity comes around once per day (if you're routine in collecting from it), so at least you won't be too delayed if you've already harvested your Cove before these goals roll around to your account. As for the Cow Treats, they're earned though a general news post on your wall. Finishing this first goal gives you 100 XP, a River Otter and 5,000 coins.
A Leash on Life
* Get 3 Cow Tethers
* Harvest 55 Kennebec Potatoes
* Improve the Cove to Level 2
If you've been working on repairing your Lighthouse Cove ever since you landed in the new farm, I would be incredibly surprised if you haven't already reached Level 2, but if not, here's our guide to upgrading so you can finish the task quickly. As for the Cow Tethers - you guessed it - they're earned through another general wall post. Complete this goal and you'll earn 200 XP, a Sailor Gnome and 2,500 coins.
A Spoonful of Sugar
* Get 3 Sugar Cubes
* Harvest 55 Butter & Sugar Corn
* Make Creamed Corn Two Times
The Sugar Cubes are earned through one final news feed post on your wall, while the Creamed Corn is a recipe inside your Restaurant. A single Creamed Corn preparation requires three Butter & Sugar Corn bushels, along with three Tarragon bushels and a Pepper bushel. Finishing this final goal gives you 300 XP, a Black Gum Tree and 2,500 coins.
While the rewards for these goals may not be overly exciting, at least the goals themselves are relatively easy to match. We'll make sure to let you know when Chapter 3 of these goals releases, so keep checking back with us!
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Chapter 2 Lighthouse Cove goals in FarmVille? Sound off in the comments.
Zynga Mobile Chief: Mobile is a 'new social gaming frontier'
Everyone else is right there with ya, big red. During an interview with The Guardian, Zynga Mobile SVP David Ko said, "We believe that mobile represents a new social gaming frontier. We've always said we want Zynga to be the best content creators in the world, and we are platform agnostic." More and more Zynga fans expect to play its games on their phones and tablets, which wasn't exactly where CEO Mark Pincus's heart was many moons ago.
Regardless of whether Zynga has been creating mobile games since Zynga Poker hit iOS devices in 2008, it was only the advent of Facebook Connect that motivated the company to dig deeper into the platform. From that we got games like FarmVille and CityVille Hometown, neither of which are feature-complete versions of their Facebook counterparts. (The latter of which is a different game entirely.)
Now, The Guardian reports that Zynga is looking to take advantage of mobile devices' key features like cameras and accelerometers in future games. And tablets appear to be a big deal in Zynga HQ--Ko told The Guardian the company was "very bullish" on the idea. And HTML5, the emergent web coding language that's been touted as the proverbial messiah for cross-platform social gaming, is something Ko admits the company is interested in.
"HTML5 is interesting, although I do feel it is early," Ko told The Guardian. "With those acquisitions, you can see into our thinking in this area a little bit." (Ko there is referring to companies like Newtoy and Dextrose.) Zynga already released one game through HTML5: Mafia Wars Atlantic City.
However, HTML5 games have yet to achieve the complexity of, say, Hanging With Friends, which Zynga just released on Android devices. Regardless, all eyes--including Zynga's--are on those 4-inch screens that rarely leave your side. And with companies as unlikely as Capcom making buku bucks on mobile games, you can bet Zynga is a' hustlin'.
Are you waiting for more mobile games from Zynga? What would you like to see the developer do next on smartphones? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Regardless of whether Zynga has been creating mobile games since Zynga Poker hit iOS devices in 2008, it was only the advent of Facebook Connect that motivated the company to dig deeper into the platform. From that we got games like FarmVille and CityVille Hometown, neither of which are feature-complete versions of their Facebook counterparts. (The latter of which is a different game entirely.)
Now, The Guardian reports that Zynga is looking to take advantage of mobile devices' key features like cameras and accelerometers in future games. And tablets appear to be a big deal in Zynga HQ--Ko told The Guardian the company was "very bullish" on the idea. And HTML5, the emergent web coding language that's been touted as the proverbial messiah for cross-platform social gaming, is something Ko admits the company is interested in.
"HTML5 is interesting, although I do feel it is early," Ko told The Guardian. "With those acquisitions, you can see into our thinking in this area a little bit." (Ko there is referring to companies like Newtoy and Dextrose.) Zynga already released one game through HTML5: Mafia Wars Atlantic City.
However, HTML5 games have yet to achieve the complexity of, say, Hanging With Friends, which Zynga just released on Android devices. Regardless, all eyes--including Zynga's--are on those 4-inch screens that rarely leave your side. And with companies as unlikely as Capcom making buku bucks on mobile games, you can bet Zynga is a' hustlin'.
Are you waiting for more mobile games from Zynga? What would you like to see the developer do next on smartphones? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Half of all U.S. social gamers own a game console, RockYou study says
As if we already didn't know: Some social gamers are more "hardcore" than we thought. But the next study released that attempts to drive this point home is courtesy of Zoo World creator RockYou and conducted by Interpret, a media research firm. Titled the "Social Gamer Thought Leadership Research Study," it finds that 50 percent of U.S. social gamers own a traditional gaming console.
The study, which polled over 2,00 social game fans living in the U.S. aged 18 and older with a 60-40 women to men split, also found that social gamers are more "sophisticated." To back up the claim, the study reports a quarter of social gamers prefer games with quests, and that 22 percent admit that score-sharing drives their urge to play more. Oh, and these players also spend quite a bit of time with the games.
Of the over 2,000 people polled, RockYou and Interpret found that the average social gamer spends an average of 9.5 hours playing out of the 13 average hours they spend on networks like Facebook. The average social game player, according to the study, has just over 16 real-life frieds playing these games with them and has made 20 new friends through social games. Of course, the study doesn't get into how deep said friendships are, but how could you?
The study also reports that 42 percent of social gamers would play a social game more, if offered real world rewards like coupons or gift cards. (But isn't the idea to get them to pay up?) It was just recently that Raptr discovered that a number of Zynga fans may be Halo and Grand Theft Auto fans, too. And before that, Kabam found in its own study that the hardcore crowd on Facebook is growing.
What should you take away from this influx of studies and reports? Regardless of whether you still dig tending to virtual crops or running a shanty town, many developers--even the "casual" ones--seem all but done with your farms and cities of yore.
What do you think of the numerous reports on the growing hardcore crowd in social games? How do you think this will change the industry in the long run? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
The study, which polled over 2,00 social game fans living in the U.S. aged 18 and older with a 60-40 women to men split, also found that social gamers are more "sophisticated." To back up the claim, the study reports a quarter of social gamers prefer games with quests, and that 22 percent admit that score-sharing drives their urge to play more. Oh, and these players also spend quite a bit of time with the games.
Of the over 2,000 people polled, RockYou and Interpret found that the average social gamer spends an average of 9.5 hours playing out of the 13 average hours they spend on networks like Facebook. The average social game player, according to the study, has just over 16 real-life frieds playing these games with them and has made 20 new friends through social games. Of course, the study doesn't get into how deep said friendships are, but how could you?
The study also reports that 42 percent of social gamers would play a social game more, if offered real world rewards like coupons or gift cards. (But isn't the idea to get them to pay up?) It was just recently that Raptr discovered that a number of Zynga fans may be Halo and Grand Theft Auto fans, too. And before that, Kabam found in its own study that the hardcore crowd on Facebook is growing.
What should you take away from this influx of studies and reports? Regardless of whether you still dig tending to virtual crops or running a shanty town, many developers--even the "casual" ones--seem all but done with your farms and cities of yore.
What do you think of the numerous reports on the growing hardcore crowd in social games? How do you think this will change the industry in the long run? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
FarmVille Horse Paddock: Everything you need to know
Back in the middle of August, FarmVille saw the launch of the Wildlife Habitat breeding building, and at the time we were told that six (and then seven) new buildings would be released in all. We didn't know when those buildings would eventually release, but as time passed we've been led to here. The final animal breeding building has launched in FarmVille, the Horse Paddock.
Similar to the Cow Pasture, this Horse Paddock is specifically for Horses, and it gives you an opportunity to store those horses and randomly breed those that are inside. You'll only need to have a single "type" of each Horse for it to be possible to breed a matching Foal when harvesting the building, but as of right now, a few Horses or Unicorns may not be able to be stored. (This is probably because either they're coded differently, or Zynga just forgot.)
Of course, before you can actually use your Horse Paddock, you need to build it. You'll need three building materials, two of which are new: 10 each of Logs, Saddles and Bridles. These Logs are the same logs that are used to repair/upgrade the Lighthouse Cove on your new farm, so it will be up to you to decide when exactly to divert your efforts there into building this Horse Paddock. As for gathering these ingredients, you can do so by asking friends through individual gift requests, or you can purchase them outright for 1 Farm Cash each.
Once its construction is complete, you'll be given a free Cream Draft Horse. You can store up to 20 Horses in total inside your new building, and you can have as many Paddocks as you like, provided you collect the building materials to build each on individually. With this feature also comes the ability to grow individual Foals into adults with Farm Cash. You can keep them as babies forever (as before), but if you've received a free Foal from a friend and can't wait for the Nursery Barn to grow it into an adult, you can now pay to do so outright.
Remember, both Foal and Calf mastery are coming soon to the game, if you need any extra incentive to build one of these buildings--and fast! Also, with the release of the Horse Paddock, the Horse Stable is now unavailable to buy/build from the market. You can keep your existing Horse Stable(s), but you'll also be given the option to trade in all of your Horse Stables to receive exclusive Horses and Animal Feed. Then again, as so many users lost their Cows entirely when doing the same for the new Cow Pasture building, I'd suggest holding off on that for now ... or forever.
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of the Horse Paddock? Do you prefer it over the Horse Stable, even though it has less storage capacity? Sound off in the comments.
Similar to the Cow Pasture, this Horse Paddock is specifically for Horses, and it gives you an opportunity to store those horses and randomly breed those that are inside. You'll only need to have a single "type" of each Horse for it to be possible to breed a matching Foal when harvesting the building, but as of right now, a few Horses or Unicorns may not be able to be stored. (This is probably because either they're coded differently, or Zynga just forgot.)
Of course, before you can actually use your Horse Paddock, you need to build it. You'll need three building materials, two of which are new: 10 each of Logs, Saddles and Bridles. These Logs are the same logs that are used to repair/upgrade the Lighthouse Cove on your new farm, so it will be up to you to decide when exactly to divert your efforts there into building this Horse Paddock. As for gathering these ingredients, you can do so by asking friends through individual gift requests, or you can purchase them outright for 1 Farm Cash each.
Once its construction is complete, you'll be given a free Cream Draft Horse. You can store up to 20 Horses in total inside your new building, and you can have as many Paddocks as you like, provided you collect the building materials to build each on individually. With this feature also comes the ability to grow individual Foals into adults with Farm Cash. You can keep them as babies forever (as before), but if you've received a free Foal from a friend and can't wait for the Nursery Barn to grow it into an adult, you can now pay to do so outright.
Remember, both Foal and Calf mastery are coming soon to the game, if you need any extra incentive to build one of these buildings--and fast! Also, with the release of the Horse Paddock, the Horse Stable is now unavailable to buy/build from the market. You can keep your existing Horse Stable(s), but you'll also be given the option to trade in all of your Horse Stables to receive exclusive Horses and Animal Feed. Then again, as so many users lost their Cows entirely when doing the same for the new Cow Pasture building, I'd suggest holding off on that for now ... or forever.
Check out the rest of our FarmVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of the Horse Paddock? Do you prefer it over the Horse Stable, even though it has less storage capacity? Sound off in the comments.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
CityVille: Finish your Bridge, Dam and more with discounted materials
If you've been putting off building one of the larger structures in CityVille (like the Bridge or Dam, as examples), because you didn't want to gather the required building materials from friends, or simply didn't want to pay the high prices to purchase those materials with City Cash, the team at Zynga is hoping that buy putting these items on sale (well, some of these items anyway), it might be enough to persuade you to open your wallet.
To be specific, a sale is now being held for up to 40% off building materials in the game. The materials are unfortunately limited to a specific set of buildings: the Bridge, Sailboat Hotel, Dam, Mall, Mall 2, Pirate Ship Attraction and Go Kart Attraction, and the rest of the game's many, many buildings are left unaffected. To make matters worse - between the two of us - the sale really isn't that good.
For example, let's say you wanted to finish your Pirate Ship Attraction. This one's building materials still cost 3 City Cash each. Perhaps if that were three City Cash in total for all of a particular ingredient I needed (say, two Ship's Prows or five Overhead Bars), that might be an acceptable price, but in our particular example, we're still looking at six City Cash for the Ship Prows and 15 City Cash for the Overhead Bars. Wouldn't it still be smarter (if not more time consuming) to ask friends for these items instead?
I suppose if you're looking for an easier way of completing these specific buildings, then you'll want to take advantage of this apparently limited time opportunity. Just don't feel any unneeded pressure to purchase building materials; the free way is still available, and doesn't look to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Will you spend City Cash on any of these discounted building materials, or have you already completed the construction on all of these buildings? Let us know in the comments.
To be specific, a sale is now being held for up to 40% off building materials in the game. The materials are unfortunately limited to a specific set of buildings: the Bridge, Sailboat Hotel, Dam, Mall, Mall 2, Pirate Ship Attraction and Go Kart Attraction, and the rest of the game's many, many buildings are left unaffected. To make matters worse - between the two of us - the sale really isn't that good.
For example, let's say you wanted to finish your Pirate Ship Attraction. This one's building materials still cost 3 City Cash each. Perhaps if that were three City Cash in total for all of a particular ingredient I needed (say, two Ship's Prows or five Overhead Bars), that might be an acceptable price, but in our particular example, we're still looking at six City Cash for the Ship Prows and 15 City Cash for the Overhead Bars. Wouldn't it still be smarter (if not more time consuming) to ask friends for these items instead?
I suppose if you're looking for an easier way of completing these specific buildings, then you'll want to take advantage of this apparently limited time opportunity. Just don't feel any unneeded pressure to purchase building materials; the free way is still available, and doesn't look to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Will you spend City Cash on any of these discounted building materials, or have you already completed the construction on all of these buildings? Let us know in the comments.
CityVille Governor's Run Family Goals: Everything you need to know
In your quest to become Governor in CityVille, you've had to help the farmers and the toy makers, but now it's time to look a little closer to home. Your third and final portion of Act I of this event will see you earning a family's vote in your campaign. Specifically, you're looking to impress the Stumpford family (remember them from the Family Vacation goals released back in August?). Why the Stumpfords wouldn't automatically be on your side after helping them before is anyone's guess, but here's how to earn their vote of confidence officially.
Family Matters
* Ask friends for 10 Magazine Subscriptions
* Collect from the Executive Driving Range 4 times
* Collect from Community Pool 6 times
As you might have guessed, the Magazine Subscriptions are earned via a general news post you'll post to your wall asking all of your friends to help you at once. As for the Executive Driving Range, this is the game's newest attraction that you can find the guide to building right here. Finally, the Community Pool is a Community Building that can be purchased from the store for 150,000 coins. By finishing this first goal, you'll receive a prize of 85 coins.
School of Thought
* Ask for 15 Tutors
* Upgrade Middle School to Level 3
* Harvest 70 Brussel Sprouts
The 15 Tutors, again, need to be earned via friends. As for the Middle School, you've been able to upgrade this particular Community Building since late August, but if you don't have it done already, you can check out our guide to doing just that. Finally, Brussel Sprouts are available to plant for 48 coins and are ready to harvest after eight hours. Finishing this second of three goals gives you 4,500 coins.
Exterior Decorator
* Ask friends for 20 Street Sweepers
* Remodel 6 Residences
* Unwither 24 Neighbor Crops
If you have any friends that stopped playing the game and left some crops growing (which most of us probably do), you should have no problem finding 24 individual squares to unwither. Just click on them when visiting friends' towns and you'll finish that task fast. For the residence remodeling task, this can turn into an expensive one, depending on the houses you choose to upgrade and the particular upgrades themselves, but you can see how to start the process in our guide. Finishing this final goal will complete your work with the Stumpfords (although I'm sure they'll be back in another feature in the future), and you'll receive the Mega Nail Salon business as a reward. This is a massive building that requires 410 Goods but supplies 3,050 coins each time those Goods are used.
Again, after you finish helping the Stumpfords (so long as you've also finished with the farmers and toy makers), you'll have finished the first portion of the Governor's Run event, but there's still a lot more waiting down the line. As the event continues to expand, we'll make sure to give you all of the details you need, so keep checking back with us!
[Via CityVille Wiki]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Governor's Run Family goals? Are they the most difficult of the three goal sets in this event so far? Sound off in the comments.
Family Matters
* Ask friends for 10 Magazine Subscriptions
* Collect from the Executive Driving Range 4 times
* Collect from Community Pool 6 times
As you might have guessed, the Magazine Subscriptions are earned via a general news post you'll post to your wall asking all of your friends to help you at once. As for the Executive Driving Range, this is the game's newest attraction that you can find the guide to building right here. Finally, the Community Pool is a Community Building that can be purchased from the store for 150,000 coins. By finishing this first goal, you'll receive a prize of 85 coins.
School of Thought
* Ask for 15 Tutors
* Upgrade Middle School to Level 3
* Harvest 70 Brussel Sprouts
The 15 Tutors, again, need to be earned via friends. As for the Middle School, you've been able to upgrade this particular Community Building since late August, but if you don't have it done already, you can check out our guide to doing just that. Finally, Brussel Sprouts are available to plant for 48 coins and are ready to harvest after eight hours. Finishing this second of three goals gives you 4,500 coins.
Exterior Decorator
* Ask friends for 20 Street Sweepers
* Remodel 6 Residences
* Unwither 24 Neighbor Crops
If you have any friends that stopped playing the game and left some crops growing (which most of us probably do), you should have no problem finding 24 individual squares to unwither. Just click on them when visiting friends' towns and you'll finish that task fast. For the residence remodeling task, this can turn into an expensive one, depending on the houses you choose to upgrade and the particular upgrades themselves, but you can see how to start the process in our guide. Finishing this final goal will complete your work with the Stumpfords (although I'm sure they'll be back in another feature in the future), and you'll receive the Mega Nail Salon business as a reward. This is a massive building that requires 410 Goods but supplies 3,050 coins each time those Goods are used.
Again, after you finish helping the Stumpfords (so long as you've also finished with the farmers and toy makers), you'll have finished the first portion of the Governor's Run event, but there's still a lot more waiting down the line. As the event continues to expand, we'll make sure to give you all of the details you need, so keep checking back with us!
[Via CityVille Wiki]
Check out the rest of our CityVille Cheats & Tips right here.
What do you think of these Governor's Run Family goals? Are they the most difficult of the three goal sets in this event so far? Sound off in the comments.
FarmVille: Sheep and Pig Mastery now available
If you've been stocking up on pigs and sheep in FarmVille with the knowledge (or even just hope) that the FarmVille team would launch pig and sheep mastery in the game, your wait is over. Now, if you're wondering how exactly this will work with the literally thousands of possibilities for different kinds of pigs and sheep to be bred in the game, let me calm your fears: this doesn't result in the addition of an equal number of mastery signs; rather, the system is pretty straightforward, once you get past the "rules."
Basically, there are two sets of both sheep and pigs that determine which kind of mastery sign you'll earn. In Sheep Breeding, for an example, if the animal is specifically labeled as a Ram or Ewe, it's considered a "Sheep Pen Ram" or "Sheep Pen Ewe," which makes sense. All Sheep Pen Rams and Sheep Pen Ewes are combined into those two categories and work cumulatively towards a pair of mastery signs. That is, if you have a a purple Ewe on one farm and a pink or yellow Ewe on another farm (or even those with patterns), when harvesting them, they'll all be treated equally, working towards the same mastery sign.
This entire process is replicated when it comes to pigs. If it's a Boar or Sow, it works towards cumulative breeding pig mastery signs. On the other hand, if the animal is a basic pig or basic sheep that can be purchased from the store and doesn't immediately relate to breeding (some examples being a Party Pig, Grape Sheep, Polka Dots Sheep and so on), these do have their own individual signs, giving you plenty of additional signs to work towards.
As you might have guessed, the amount of mastery points required for these cumulative breeding signs are fairly substantial. In the case of pigs, the Pig Pen Boar sign's first star comes at 467 harvests, while the Pig Pen Sow's first star is earned after 588 harvests. For sheep, the Ewe sign's first star is earned at 840 harvests, while the first Ram star is acquired at 560 harvests.
Keep in mind, while pig and sheep mastery is fairly exciting, we still haven't seen the launch of Calf and Foal mastery in the game. That too is "coming soon," and we'll make sure to let you know when it launches in full.
Will you breed more sheep and pigs just to earn these new mastery signs? Will you purchase additional sheep or pigs from the store? Sound off in the comments.
Basically, there are two sets of both sheep and pigs that determine which kind of mastery sign you'll earn. In Sheep Breeding, for an example, if the animal is specifically labeled as a Ram or Ewe, it's considered a "Sheep Pen Ram" or "Sheep Pen Ewe," which makes sense. All Sheep Pen Rams and Sheep Pen Ewes are combined into those two categories and work cumulatively towards a pair of mastery signs. That is, if you have a a purple Ewe on one farm and a pink or yellow Ewe on another farm (or even those with patterns), when harvesting them, they'll all be treated equally, working towards the same mastery sign.
This entire process is replicated when it comes to pigs. If it's a Boar or Sow, it works towards cumulative breeding pig mastery signs. On the other hand, if the animal is a basic pig or basic sheep that can be purchased from the store and doesn't immediately relate to breeding (some examples being a Party Pig, Grape Sheep, Polka Dots Sheep and so on), these do have their own individual signs, giving you plenty of additional signs to work towards.
As you might have guessed, the amount of mastery points required for these cumulative breeding signs are fairly substantial. In the case of pigs, the Pig Pen Boar sign's first star comes at 467 harvests, while the Pig Pen Sow's first star is earned after 588 harvests. For sheep, the Ewe sign's first star is earned at 840 harvests, while the first Ram star is acquired at 560 harvests.
Keep in mind, while pig and sheep mastery is fairly exciting, we still haven't seen the launch of Calf and Foal mastery in the game. That too is "coming soon," and we'll make sure to let you know when it launches in full.
Will you breed more sheep and pigs just to earn these new mastery signs? Will you purchase additional sheep or pigs from the store? Sound off in the comments.
A Bit Lucky goes all in on hardcore Facebook games with Lucky Space
We know you're all thinking it, so we'll just come out and say it: Sci-fi is huge in Facebook games right now. (Like, crazy big.) The next developer to take a crack at the theme is A Bit Lucky with Lucky Space. The San Mateo, Calif.-based developer's second social game launches today, and it's light years away from Lucky Train.
In Lucky Space, players inherit a lifeless, barren alien planet purchased by Dr. X in his final days in search of the riches he was so sure are buried deep beneath its purple crust. You'll establish a thriving space colony with one mission: strip mine the planet for all its worth in rare gems and resources. Of course, it won't be long before you discover that Dr. X was onto more than just shiny rocks and black gold.
As you expand your colony and upgrade its buildings with unique components like the Force Field Dome and Ultra-Power Laser Extractor, you'll slowly uncover the remnants of an alien civilization. Through a series a quests and the help of your friends, you will dig out alien ruins while protecting your colony from a series of natural (to this world, maybe) disasters like meteor strikes. While the game is dubbed "hardcore," it doesn't look or sound as if combat is a focus in Lucky Space.
Gallery: Lucky Space on Facebook
"Lucky Space was inspired by our love of the sci-fi genre and the desire to innovate within the social gaming space," A Bit Lucky CCO Jordan Maynard said in a release. "We've been able to blend social gaming with hardcore PC gameplay mechanics to create a new and engaging experience."
Regardless of the game being deemed "hardcore" with a lack of combat, a tenant of most Facebook games given the silly adjective, Lucky Space sounds like it might have players depend on their friends more than in most social games. You will need friends not just to visit your colony for a few boosts, but to trade rare components and identify mysterious alien artifacts. One thing we know for sure is that the game looks like a vibrant, even jolly take on Facebook games skewed for the hardcore crowd. But don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer below and see for yourself.
Click here to play Lucky Space on Facebook Now >
What do you think of A Bit Lucky's second Facebook game so far? Do you think there's still room for Facebook games within the sci-fi genre, or are you on the lookout for something new? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
In Lucky Space, players inherit a lifeless, barren alien planet purchased by Dr. X in his final days in search of the riches he was so sure are buried deep beneath its purple crust. You'll establish a thriving space colony with one mission: strip mine the planet for all its worth in rare gems and resources. Of course, it won't be long before you discover that Dr. X was onto more than just shiny rocks and black gold.
As you expand your colony and upgrade its buildings with unique components like the Force Field Dome and Ultra-Power Laser Extractor, you'll slowly uncover the remnants of an alien civilization. Through a series a quests and the help of your friends, you will dig out alien ruins while protecting your colony from a series of natural (to this world, maybe) disasters like meteor strikes. While the game is dubbed "hardcore," it doesn't look or sound as if combat is a focus in Lucky Space.
Gallery: Lucky Space on Facebook
"Lucky Space was inspired by our love of the sci-fi genre and the desire to innovate within the social gaming space," A Bit Lucky CCO Jordan Maynard said in a release. "We've been able to blend social gaming with hardcore PC gameplay mechanics to create a new and engaging experience."
Regardless of the game being deemed "hardcore" with a lack of combat, a tenant of most Facebook games given the silly adjective, Lucky Space sounds like it might have players depend on their friends more than in most social games. You will need friends not just to visit your colony for a few boosts, but to trade rare components and identify mysterious alien artifacts. One thing we know for sure is that the game looks like a vibrant, even jolly take on Facebook games skewed for the hardcore crowd. But don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer below and see for yourself.
Click here to play Lucky Space on Facebook Now >
What do you think of A Bit Lucky's second Facebook game so far? Do you think there's still room for Facebook games within the sci-fi genre, or are you on the lookout for something new? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Glitch, the weirdest Facebook-connected MMO yet, goes live today
Glitch on Facebook
(Editors Note: Glitch is not a Facebook game, but a Facebook-connected social MMO that exists in its own space on Glitch.com. Changes were made in this article to reflect this correction.)
And by weird we mean, "Just what the heck do I do in this game?" weird. When we first heard that Flickr co-creator Stewart Butterfield was working on a new breed of social game called Glitch earlier this year, we were excited to see what was in store. Starting today at 1 p.m. eastern, you can experience the goofy first release from Butterfield's Canada-based Tiny Speck.
Glitch, announced way back in November of last year, is Butterfield's attempt at putting the tools for expression in the players' hands. "Our vision for Glitch is to bring a new level of creativity, beauty and social engagement to players who expect more from their online social gaming experience – an experience that has value beyond traditional forms of entertainment," Butterfield told Kotaku. "Glitch is an experiment in culture building. We provide raw materials and a stimulating environment, but it's the players who bring the infinite world alive, shaping it with their imagination."
Based on an early look at the game co-created by Butterfield and Keita Takahashi--the man behind the equally- strange Katamari Damacy series of games--I can confidently say that the game will fill your daily quota of quirkiness. For instance, I recall during my time with an early build of the game entering a building you would normally find in Washington. Inside, I was to apply for an arbitrary license, and was told by an in-game character to sit and wait for my turn.
Growing confused and impatient from waiting for the green-faced clerk to return from behind the desk to call my name, I left the building. When I returned, I was forced to restart the process. So, I reapplied for the license, and literally waited for 10 minutes for the garish desk clerk to return with my new card for whatever purpose. That's when it hit me: Through Glitch, Butterfield was making a statement on the hilarity of bureaucracy. And you know what? I literally laughed out loud in front of my laptop.
However, what's worrying is that the average FarmVille fan isn't concerned with lofty if humorous statements or open-ended gameplay with nearly infinite methods of expression. They just want to feel accomplished within five minutes and get back to work from their lunch break. Since my look at the game, however, Tiny Speck has made major changes to Glitch to appeal to that crowd, Kotaku reports. That said, why not give Glitch a try--it might be the first social game to make you laugh out loud.
Click here to try out Glitch through Facebook Now >
Are you looking for a new kind of social game experience? Do you think lofty games like Glitch can find success in the world of CityVille and The Sims Social? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
(Editors Note: Glitch is not a Facebook game, but a Facebook-connected social MMO that exists in its own space on Glitch.com. Changes were made in this article to reflect this correction.)
And by weird we mean, "Just what the heck do I do in this game?" weird. When we first heard that Flickr co-creator Stewart Butterfield was working on a new breed of social game called Glitch earlier this year, we were excited to see what was in store. Starting today at 1 p.m. eastern, you can experience the goofy first release from Butterfield's Canada-based Tiny Speck.
Glitch, announced way back in November of last year, is Butterfield's attempt at putting the tools for expression in the players' hands. "Our vision for Glitch is to bring a new level of creativity, beauty and social engagement to players who expect more from their online social gaming experience – an experience that has value beyond traditional forms of entertainment," Butterfield told Kotaku. "Glitch is an experiment in culture building. We provide raw materials and a stimulating environment, but it's the players who bring the infinite world alive, shaping it with their imagination."
Based on an early look at the game co-created by Butterfield and Keita Takahashi--the man behind the equally- strange Katamari Damacy series of games--I can confidently say that the game will fill your daily quota of quirkiness. For instance, I recall during my time with an early build of the game entering a building you would normally find in Washington. Inside, I was to apply for an arbitrary license, and was told by an in-game character to sit and wait for my turn.
Growing confused and impatient from waiting for the green-faced clerk to return from behind the desk to call my name, I left the building. When I returned, I was forced to restart the process. So, I reapplied for the license, and literally waited for 10 minutes for the garish desk clerk to return with my new card for whatever purpose. That's when it hit me: Through Glitch, Butterfield was making a statement on the hilarity of bureaucracy. And you know what? I literally laughed out loud in front of my laptop.
However, what's worrying is that the average FarmVille fan isn't concerned with lofty if humorous statements or open-ended gameplay with nearly infinite methods of expression. They just want to feel accomplished within five minutes and get back to work from their lunch break. Since my look at the game, however, Tiny Speck has made major changes to Glitch to appeal to that crowd, Kotaku reports. That said, why not give Glitch a try--it might be the first social game to make you laugh out loud.
Click here to try out Glitch through Facebook Now >
Are you looking for a new kind of social game experience? Do you think lofty games like Glitch can find success in the world of CityVille and The Sims Social? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
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